The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

Content Warning: This section of the guide refers to a scene involving sexual assault.

This chapter begins with a declaration that there are many women like Miss Brodie in Edinburgh in the 1930s, so while she may seem unusual, she is not out of place there. These women are generally over 30, unmarried, and interested in social change and new perspectives on education, religion, and feminism. They are witty, tough, have their own money, enjoy traveling, and are engaged with their communities. Many of them, like Miss Brodie, think of Edinburgh as a cosmopolitan, European city. However, while their personalities and lifestyles are similar to Miss Brodie’s, these women generally do not work as teachers. Miss Brodie’s choice to work at a traditional school rather than a progressive one also makes her stand out. In addition to being unique in the context of middle-aged, single Edinburgh women, Miss Brodie is unique in the context of the Marcia Blaine School: While the rest of the teachers made up their minds about ethical issues in their twenties, Miss Brodie is still learning and developing mentally. She attributes these fluctuations to the fact that she is in her prime.