 What narrative role does Jean play in the story?
Mrs. Lane smiled gently and placed her soft white hand on her daughter’s lean brown one. The theater is full of beginners a year and even two years younger than I am, and girls of my age have lots of acting credits already. “None of them is as fascinating as acting to me,” Peggy replied, “and none of them is nearly as important to my life.” We think you’re wonderful, but the theater is full of young girls whose parents thought they were the most talented things alive; girls who won all kinds of applause in high-school and college plays; girls who have everything except luck. You may be one of these girls, and if you are, we want you to be prepared for it. All I ask is that you finish college and get a teacher’s certificate so that you can always find useful work if you have to. Its musty but clean scent of straw and horses and leather made her feel calm and alive. Its 16,500 people supported good schools, an excellent library, and two good movie houses. And of course, all of this was in addition to the usual growing-up pleasures of swimming and sailing, movie dates, and formal dances—everything that a girl could want. Peggy had lived all her life here, knew every tree-shaded street, every country road, field, lake, and stream. All of her friends were here, friends she had known since her earliest baby days.
 She serves as encouragement to Peggy and gives the reader more reason to believe that Peggy has good acting skills.
 She serves as encouragement to Peggy and gives the reader more reason to believe that Peggy has good acting skills.  She serves as a deterrent to keep Peggy in the area because Jean loves her so much.  Jean serves as proof that Peggy will likely succeed in life because Peggy has such a solid friendship with her and relationships are important to success.  She pushes Peggy to pursue her dreams, so that Peggy doesn't have to end up being a teacher like Jean.