JCERJournal of Contemporary Educational Research2208-84662208-8474Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/jcer.v10i7.15727ArticleShawn’s Violence and Tara’s Laugh: An Analysis of Educated Based on Trauma Theoryhttps://artdesignp.com/journal/JCER/10/7/10.26689/jcer.v10i7.15727HuangHuili20261072026-08-05Educated is an autobiography written by American author Tara Westover (1986–). This novel tells the story of how Tara, a girl who never received any formal schooling, earned a PhD from a prestigious university. During her growth, Tara experienced numerous physical and psychological traumas. One of Tara’s sources of trauma was the violence from her brother—Shawn. It is worth noting that Tara would laugh when enduring abuse from her brother. Based on the trauma theory, this paper analyzes the trauma that Shawn brought to Tara and explains the profound connotation of Tara’s laugh in violent situations as well as how Tara gets over the trauma. Tara’s experience is argued to reveal the dissociative stress response brought on by persistent trauma, as well as the potential for healing—one achieved through establishing a safe environment, reconstructing the trauma narrative, and rebuilding a sense of connection.

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