Emphasis on proper address was: Snape as father figure

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 131018


> Thursday: 
> > Not saying that Severus Snape doesn't want to be treated with 
respect but I've always thought this was also just teaching basic 
good manners. 
snip

Potioncat:
Whether or not in RL England kids address adults as "Sir" they 
certainly did in fictional schoolboy stories; and JKR uses many of 
the standard fictional approaches in this series. (Which is why, I 
think, Harry was left on a doorstep in a basket.)

As this thread has developed, I also happened to read a section of 
dialogue in OoP between Draco and Snape (erm, Professor Snape) Just 
about every other word is "sir". Then I went back and looked at other 
times I could find conversation between them. Draco uses "sir" all 
the time. Here's two examples, just quoting Draco's lines:

CoS, ch 15
"Sir," said Malfoy loudly. "Sir, why don't you apply for the 
headmaster's job?"
....
"Yeah, right," said Malfoy, smirking,. "I expect you'd have Father's 
vote, sir, if you wanted to apply for the job--I'll tell Father 
you're the best teacher here, sir--"

In Oop ch28
Harry and Professor Snape are about to start Occlumency when Draco 
bursts in:
"Professor Snape, sir--oh--sorry--"
...
"I didn't know."
...
..."It's Professor Umbridge, sir--she needs your help," said 
Malfoy. "They've found Montague,sir. He's turned up jameed inside a 
toilet on the fourth floor."
...
"I don't know, sir, he's a bit confused."


I can't find the conversation with Flitwick-- the time he breaks up a 
fight between Malfoy and Ron--to see how Draco addresses him. The 
first time Draco speaks to Lupin, he makes a point of 
using "Professor" but does so with "a tiny hint of sarcasm."

I expect that Snape expects all his students to address him as "sir." 
In the example from OoP, Snape has even addressed Malfoy as "Draco" 
but the boy continues to use "sir".

I think modern readers view the use of "sir and ma'am" as some sort 
of cruel manipulation by adults or some sort of brown-nosing by 
underlings, but I remember when sir and ma'am were expected and 
normal and no more uncomfortable to use than "please and thank you".


> Amanda:
> 
> I agree, but I think there may be more to it. This has been a half-
formed
> thought in my mind, which this particular tangent brought out: Why 
does
> Snape seem to insist on a correct mode of address at points in 
conversations
> in the Occlumency lessons when it seems absolutely irrelevant?
> 
> I note that Snape derails Harry's inquiries right when it seems 
Harry might
> learn something concrete about what "our side" knows or believes. I 
doubt
> this is by accident. Snape is using a mechanism that is already
> well-established between the two of them, to control the 
information flow to Harry.
snip

Potioncat:
Oh, very good point! Count me in as a "me too".
>