The title Madam = Mrs. 'Gran' Longbottom

Steve bboy_mn at yahoo.com
Mon Dec 15 16:35:24 UTC 2003


No: HPFGUIDX 87121

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Janet Anderson"
<norek_archives2 at h...> wrote:

> Steve <bboy_mn at y...> originally said:
> 
> >So, in summary, the use of Madam shows respect, but does so without
> >regard to or acknowledgement of marital status. In the case of
> >spinsters and widows, it's probably best NOT to use any inferences
> >to marriage, and in other cases, it just common courtesy.
> 


> Janet replied:
> But what about Neville's grandmother? Neville saw his grandfather 
> die, which makes her a widow, but the nurse at St. Mungo's calls her
> "Mrs. Longbottom."  ...edited...
> 
> 
> Janet Anderson

bboy_mn:

I previously explained that since I thought the Healer and Gran
Longbottom were peers to some extent, the formality of 'Madam'
wouldn't be used. I explained this is a sub-thread that broke of on a
tangent from this main thread.

Date:  Sat Dec 13, 2003  2:52 am
Subject:  Use of Madam - Gran and the Healer
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/87025

It's also possible that Mrs. 'Gran' Longbottom was well know enough in
the wizarding community that most people had referred to her as 'Mrs'
for many years and continue with that habit. 

Also, the use of 'Madam' indicates or implies some social distance
between the individuals; some one with whom your relationship and
association is very formal and distant. Mrs. 'Gran' Longbottom has
been coming to the hospital ward on a weekly basis for over a decade.
That, perhaps, has narrowed the social formality between the Healer,
other hospital staff, and Mrs. 'Gran' Longbottom.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn






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