The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

As an adult, Sandy claims that the greatest influence in her life was “Miss Jean Brodie in her prime.” What is the nature of this influence? Is it positive or negative?

What is the significance of Edinburgh as a setting in this novel? How do the girls relate to the city that surrounds their school? For Sandy in particular, how is learning about the city part of her process of coming of age.

What does Miss Brodie mean when she talks about her “prime”? How, and to what extent, does this meaning change when she applies it to the girls’ lives? Use context clues as you make your argument.