Chapt Discussions -PS/SS 8, THE POTIONS MASTER - Who Said?

[bboyminn]

No: HPFGUIDX 188253



---  "potioncat" <willsonkmom at ...> wrote:
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> Potioncat:
> I think it's always the narrator who uses Potions master--and not very often at that. Does anyone remember a character using it? And if so, in what context? Percy says Snape teaches potions. Snape doesn't refer to himself during the chapter as the Potions master, and neither does anyone else. It's only used in the chapter title.
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> So I think Zanooda is right, JKR uses "master" to set a mood about the character at the particular time. And again, I think master used in the old style for teacher.
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> Are any Brits following this thread?  Am I correct and is master used in school settings now?
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bboyminn:

Upon reading your comment, I can think of only one person
who actually, in direct dialog, called Snape 'Potions master',
and that was Snape himself.

"We will be able to cure her, Argus," said Dumbledore...
Blah, blah, blah, ...Mandrake root potion.

"I'll make it, " Lockhart butted in. ...blah, blah, blah,...

"Excuse me," said Snape icily. "But I believe I an the Potions
master at this school."

I don't know what to make of it, but notice that "Potions"
is capitalized and "master" is not. If 'master' were a
title, wouldn't it be 'Master'? 

Though, I can't place the actual dialog, I'm thinking that
Lupin may have referred to Snape as 'potions master'. 

I also think that Potions is very different than other 
classes. It takes a very different skill set, especially
if you intend to go beyond copying recipes. If you expect
to do anything innovative or creative, you need to have
more than the ability to read.

This of a Master Chef or Master Electrician. To reach the
'master' level you have to have demostrated a degree of
creative thinking, and ability to solve problems beyond
following the rules.

To some extent, I think that Snape having and being able to
do his job, is sufficient to qualify him as 'master' status,
and we see that Snape's knowledge of potions goes far beyond
giving student recipes to copy. 

So, what I'm saying is that Snape has certainly demonstrated
'master' level potions skills. 

Steve/bboyminn