CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 8, THE POTIONS MASTER

[bboyminn]

No: HPFGUIDX 188254



---  "dumbledore11214" <dumbledore11214 at ...> wrote:
>
> 
> > Potioncat:
> > I think it's always the narrator who uses Potions master--
> > and not very often at that. ...
> 
> Alla:
> 
> Oh yes, I do not remember character using it either, however surely this statement can be taken as statement of fact, unless you would argue that this is a trick on JKR's behalf? What I am trying to say is that I believe that narrator calls Snape that way to show that this is indeed how he is called, same thing as when narrator tells us that for example McGonagall is the head of Gryffindor House amd Snape is the Head of Slytherins? This sort of thing?
> 
> ...

bboyminn:

Well, what I'm going to say is pure speculation, but I believe
it is logical pure speculation.

I think Snape is a Potions Master independent of the fact that
he is also a teacher. Though being teacher makes him Potions
Master of the School.

Professor Snape - Portion Master of Hogwarts

I think being a 'Potions Master' indicates a level of creative
skill in potion making that goes beyond following recipes. So,
I think Snape could fairly call himself a Potions Master, even
if he was not a teacher at the school. 

I suspect it is possible to have a Potions teacher who is, in 
a certain sense, not a potions master. In other words, he is 
good at getting student to follow recipes, and understanding
their mistakes, but he lacks the creativity to conceive and
create new potions. 

Just a thought.

Steve/bboyminn