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

[juli17ptf]

No: HPFGUIDX 188265


> 
> bboyminn:
>
> <snip> 
> 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
> 

Julie:
I agree. Potions also have many medical applications,
so Snape's skill is certainly one of the most important
in the WW. It may be that Snape has some sort of degree
or certificate identifying him as a "master" level 
Potioneer (if that's an actual word!). It's what I've
always assumed the "master" title and references meant.

What I find interesting is how clear the text makes
Snape's skill level in Potions, as even Snape refers
to himself as the Potions master at the school (a title
I don't recall ever being applied to Slughorn). He's
obviously very talented at Potions and has acheived a
level of competence that few wizards do, yet we are 
supposed to believe all he's ever wanted to do is teach
Defense of the Dark Arts.

It is also interesting that we don't ever learn if
that is *really* Snape's deepest desire, or if Snape's
applying for the position every year is at least in part
a deliberate machination by Dumbledore. True, Snape sneers
at every DADA teacher the moment they arrive, but all 
the DADA teachers with the possible exception of Lupin
(an exception Snape wouldn't make given their history)
were infinitely sneer-worthy. And though we hear second-
hand from students and perhaps a professor or two (don't
recall any specific examples of the latter, but it is
quite likely), and from Dumbledore (who is always playing
a role), we never hear it directly from Snape.

It seems to me that if Snape is so skilled at Potions,
and speaks of Potion-making so eloquently (as in his
opening speech in PS/SS), he must truly enjoy it. And 
it doesn't make much sense that he would want the DADA 
position when he knows it is cursed, even if he thinks
it would be easier or less frustrating to teach DADA
to all those dunderhead students at Hogwarts.

It's too bad that JKR didn't take the opportunity to
clarify Snape's feelings about teaching DADA versus
Potions, or about the practice of both skills. I still
wonder if Snape had survived in the end and was free to
pursue his own desires, whether he would have chosen to
pursue Potions (making, refining, inventing) or if he
would have preferred a DADA-related field (though that
might lead to the Aurors, where he might or might not
be welcome). 

Julie