 What narrative role does Jean play in the story?
You may be one of these girls, and if you are, we want you to be prepared for it. All of her friends were here, friends she had known since her earliest baby days. Or would it be something different, something like the dreary side-street world of failure and defeat that she had also seen in movies? 9 II Dramatic Decision Upstairs at the Wilsons’, Peggy found Jean swathed in bath towels, washing her long, straight red hair, which was now white with lather and piled up in a high, soapy knot. 10 After a brisk rubdown with one towel, Jean rolled another dry towel around her head like an Indian turban. When they had made themselves comfortable on the pillow-strewn daybeds, Jean came straight to the point.
 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.