Last names vs First. (was: James/MWPP in Slytherin)

[ghinghapuss]

No: HPFGUIDX 83495

>Del Said:
>Imagine that Harry and Hermione (or Lavender or Parvati) started 
>getting romantically interested in each other : would they suddenly 
>revert from calling each other by their first names to start using 
>their last names ?? No way.Moreover, we do know of someone who's 
>calling Hermione by her last name... Draco Malfoy. Should we then 
>assume that he's secretly in love with her ?

>Taryn Said:
>It wasn't said that EVERYONE in love would do that. But it certainly 
>occurs as a form of flirting.
>Snip  I just don't get it.


Now me:
The use of last names vs. first names in British Public (Americans 
read Private) schools is an interesting one. And because, along with 
almost all life in Britain, it deals with status and class it is 
somewhat complicated.  One of those things you need to have grown up 
with to truly understand ;-) but here goes:

Teachers will call a student by their last name as a measure of the 
childs lower status. First names indicate familiarity.  Just as 
students will call a teacher Miss or Sir or Professor to show the 
teachers higher status. 
 
Boys are called by their last name only. Eg Potter and Weasley.  
Girls by Miss and then last name. Eg Miss Granger. (Unless the girl 
is in serious trouble then a teacher may use just their last name but 
in those circumstances it must be read as very derogatory and the 
teacher is very angry.  When it happened to me I knew I was in BIG 
trouble.)

Between students it is really the same idea.  One student will use 
the last name of another to establish a higher status or in an 
attempt to put-down or psyche out the other student.  

The OotP Pensive scene is really a good example of this behavior and 
tells us a lot about James Potter and his state of mind at the time 
and the status of all players involved in this scene.  James calls 
Lily 'Evans' which is at once an insult, by not showing her proper 
respect and a way to get immediate attention.  No one can avoid being 
publicly called out in such a way.  Of course we know James is 
crushing on Lily, but he wouldn't want her, or those around to know 
that and give her the advantage.  James clearly wants every one to 
know where he is standing in relation to everyone around him.   He 
thinks very highly of himself at this time and considers everyone 
else around him (other then his close friends) below him, even Lily.  
Possibly because she is muggle born or because she is a girl, what 
ever the reason he clearly thinks he is better than her to the extent 
that he truly believes he can black mail her in to going out with him 
and by the extent of his rage at her public refusal of him.  I love 
that scene; it is very well constructed and tells us so much and so 
little at the same time.

It's the same with Malfoy and Harry, Ron and Hermione. Malfoy, who 
thinks he is better than everyone, uses last names all the time. To 
use first names is just too familiar and friendly.  

Another good example is Professor Snape calling Professor 
Lupin 'Lupin' through out PoA showing he thinks very little of 
Remus.  

Interestingly almost everyone calls Lupin 'Lupin' perhaps because of 
his part animal nature puts him below the full humans. 

Hope I haven't put you all to sleep.

Mandy