Discuss the notion of realism in "The Prime of Miss J. Brodie".

Realism is a very prominent feature in this novel. The use of such historical dates and references gives the book as well as the characters a very real touch, making the characters lives and surroundings so real that you begin to wonder if these people, from Miss Brodie to Mary McGregor, really existed.
The setting is Edinburgh early 1930s, only a few years after Spark's childhood. Firstly we must ask why Edinburgh? The setting compliments the theme of fascism. Known as the "Athens of the north" allows versatility and is full of culture, art, and architecture. Since Spark loved the ab…