Hermione's rhetorical questions

[David <dfrankiswork@netscape.net>]

No: HPFGUIDX 52184

Amy Z pondered: <<<<< Hermione has a habit of ending sentences with 
an interrogative (hey, does anyone know what this grammatical 
structure is called?):
> 
> "His *slave*, you mean!" said Hermione, her voice rising 
> shrilly.  "Because he didn't *pay* Winky, did he?" (10)
> 
> "Double Divination this afternoon," Harry groaned . . . .
>   "You should have given it up like me, shouldn't you?" said 
Hermione 
> briskly.  (13)
> 
> "What are they doing here?" said Harry in surprise.
>   "They organized the Triwizard Tournament, didn't they?" said 
> Hermione. (16)
> 
> Etc. etc.  While innocent in many cases, in many others, and as a 
> cumulative effect, this phrasing has an air of "isn't it obvious?" 
> that can get on the nerves of even one's best friends.  And yes, 
they 
> love her anyway.  And so do I.>>>>>>>>

Penny commented:

> Actually, correct me if I'm wrong, Brits, but I think this is just 
Brit-speak (ending sentences with "isn't it obvious" questions of 
that nature).  Hermione is actually not the only character to do 
this, though perhaps it does fall into her dialogue more frequently 
than others.  

Me now:

I'd say that habit is regional (London) and to a considerable extent 
class-based (working).  Hermione doesn't fit the pattern in any 
other way, IMO.  It's difficult to comment on the examples Amy gives 
without going back and reading the context, but I'd agree with Amy 
about the cumulative effect.  There are all sorts of reasons for 
ending a statement with a rhetorical question, yes, but IMO no 
unusual idiom here.

It have just realised the irony that in the kitchen scene Hermione 
speaks up for Elfish freedom by telling the House-elves what they 
ought to think, while Ron who favours their repression expresses 
respectful appreciation for their services.

David, on to Ginny next