Is Snape really THAT good in Potions?(was: Snape and the Kappa)

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 119516


Siriusly Snapey Susan wrote:
<snip>
> > I think Potions *Master* IS an important term to take into
consideration when evaluating Snape's abilities.  We don't hear 
> > anyone refer to Flitwick as the Charms Master, nor McGonagall as
the Transfiguration Master.  Now, I can't speak to whether "Master" 
would be a both-gender appellation, but we do have the example of
Flitwick.  He's always teacher or professor; not master.  Don't you
think we're *meant* to take from that information that Snape *is* 
considered an expert?
> > 
> > Siriusly Snapey Susan, who doesn't believe Snape is a master 
*teacher* but does believe he's a master potions maker.
> 
Potioncat responded:
<snip>
> I think you're right, no one calls Flitwick the Charms Master. But
Potions Master still means Potions teacher.  And when Snape tries to 
uncover the purpose of Harry's spare bit of parchment, he refers to
himself as a master of Hogwarts (a teacher of Hogwarts)(Sorry, I don't
have the exact quote.)
> 
> JKR was of course, writing for an English public at first and would
ahve expected master to be understood as teacher, even if it isn't 
used today.  Here is where SSSusan gave me an idea: It could be that 
JKR is using Potion Master as Potion Teacher but is also implying or 
will reveal a stronger meaning of the word.  But I don't think there
is a profession in the WW of Potion Masters outside of the school 
setting.

Carol adds:
The term is also used in "headmaster" and "deputy headmistress," which
suggests that there is a sexual distinction, at least in form if not
in meaning. McGonagall should be referred to as the Transfiguration
Mistress (and Flitwick as the Charms Master) if "master"/mistress" is
the exact equivalent of "teacher."

If it were only Snape referring to himself as Potions Master, we might
think that he was trying to make his rank or competence appear greater
than it really is. But he's consistently referred to by that title in
a variety of contexts, the first being, IIRC, the title of the chapter
in SS/PS depicting Harry's first Potions class.

It's possible that the title reflects his surprisingly senior position
at Hogwarts for so young a teacher ("master" suggesting a connection
with "headmaster" and "deputy headmistress"). We've seen that he's
Dumbledore's righthand man, very close in importance to McGonagall
(and also, like her, a head of house). He seems to have *more*
authority in general school affairs than either Flitwick or Sprout,
neither of whom is around when Dumbledore, MM, and SS confront
Crouch!Moody and neither of whom prowls the halls to keep Harry and
other "troublemakers" in line. And not only Sprout and Flitwick but
McGonagall as well follow his lead in sending Lockhart from the staff
room to save Ginny (or flee the school). 

And yet the title "Potions Master" seems to refer to his post as
Potions teacher, as indicated by its use in the chapter title and the
word "Potions" itself in conjunction with "Master." Would *any* (male)
Potions teacher have the designation "Master" when it doesn't seem to
be used for other subjects, or is it peculiar to Snape? I tend to
think that it reflects both his position in the school and his
extensive knowledge of his subject, but I really can't prove that.

How about adding the question to our list of what to ask JKR: Why is
Snape referred to as the Potions Master when no other teacher has a
similar title?

Carol, wondering why she has two spoons on the saucer beneath her
coffee cup