The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark

Second reading; first read in the '70s.

Miss Jean Brodie is a woman "in her prime," a teacher of pre-pubescent girls in a private school in Scotland. Unconventional and charming, she favors six young girls in her class as the "creme de la creme," and they become known as the "Brodie set." The narrative follows them through their school years and beyond, telling of the results of Miss Brodie's influence.

This is one of the most skillfully developed books I have ever read, as it effortlessly switches from one period of time to another, so that it early becomes known that one of the "set" ultimately betrays Miss Brodie. The question becomes the "who" and "why." The novel is also brilliant in the subtle way it inserts humor into what is essentially a very serious subject.

This novel spoke to me in an entirely different way this reading. When I first read it in the '70s my focus of attention was on the six girls and the effects a charismatic teacher had upon them. This time, probably because I had recently taught for several years, I was made uncomfortably aware of the terrible responsibility of a teacher toward young students, wondering if I, myself, had abused the power given, as Miss Brodie did.

Teachers are in the unique position of having a captive audience who are obliged to listen. A skillful teacher with the right personality can use this to advantage to excite interest and enthusiasm in the subject matter or in learning in general. A self-absorbed and egotistical teacher can abuse his or her position by influencing students in other ways, encouraging a "cult of personality." Parents should beware of those. I hope I was not one of them, but there exists, indeed, a powerful temptation to become such a teacher.

This novel was included on both the Modern Library Top 100 and the Time Top 100 novel lists. It is short, easy to read, can be viewed from more than one viewpoint, and is wonderfully accomplished in execution. Highly recommended.