Re; CHAPTER DISCUSSION PS/SS 8 THE POTIONS MASTER

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 188266



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, crbrett at ... wrote:
>
> This is my first response to a thread despite being a member for a while. 
> I feel somewhat intimidated by the level of knowledge of some of you out
> there. However - Potioncat asks if there are any Brits out here following
> the thread and I am one of those. I attended a British Grammar School back
> in the 1960's and it was perfectly normal to have  the teachers referred
> to as Masters (or Mistresses).   I must admit to the term Potions Master
> not causing me any problem whatsoever.  The term is probably still used
> today - particularly in public schools.


Alla:

Welcome to the list, Chris!  As Brit could you clarify whether title of Master has anything to do with the skill of the teacher or it is just a title that means nothing besides the fact that such person teaches in the school?


I always thought that it has nothing to do whatsoever with teacher's skill and speculate that Snape himself attached importance to it.

Steve:
<HUGE SNIP>
So, what I'm saying is that Snape has certainly demonstrated
> 'master' level potions skills.<SNIP>

Alla:

I guess I disagree, I do not believe that any sort of exam needed for master position, I think it is just a name, but maybe Brits on the list (including Geoff of course heh) will say otherwise?


zanooda:

Yes, he said something like "excuse me, I believe *I* am the Potions master at
this school" :-). He also called himself "master of this school" when he was
trying to make the Marauder's map work in PoA ("Snape's Grudge").


Alla:

AHA, yes he did, thanks for reminding me guys!  So that I think does not contradict my speculation, IF in reality it is just a name for the teacher's position, or another name and has nothing to do with skill, Snape is massaging his ego here, since he may have simply said  something along the lines - excuse me I am a potions teacher here.

JMO,

Alla