The Influence of Religion

Tara’s father is a fundamentalist Mormon who believes in the literal messages of the Bible and instills it in his children, providing it as the lens to view their world through. He develops paranoia about the government, and religion becomes the alternative that provides solutions for problems that could otherwise be solved with the conveniences and privileges of modern society. The family’s devoutness heavily influences Tara. Her father uses Bible passages as examples for her to follow throughout her life. She is also distraught that her own aspirations are contrary to her religious beliefs about women’s aspirations. From a young age, her father instilled the idea of modesty in her mind, and it haunted her throughout her transition to womanhood. When Tara receives her education, she begins to think critically about her religious beliefs and chooses her own path with...