teachers' personal lives

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 190269



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Bart Lidofsky <bart at ...> wrote:
>
> On 4/21/2011 2:24 AM, Steve wrote:
> > ...., given that Dumbledore is about 150.
> 
> Bart:
> Finally have an opportunity to write this again: "There are
> three kinds of people in this world. Those who can count, 
> and those who can't." - J. K. Rowling
> 
> Around the time DH came out, we had a conversation about 
> Dumbledore's age; the history just does not match an age of
> 150, or even close. We could go into again, I guess.
> 
> Oh, also, I'm pretty sure Madam Pomfrey is married. Unless 
> "Madam" is her first name...
> 
>  Bart
>

I was aware of this controversy as well, but I never worked out the details, though I assume someone has. 

Can someone explain the logistics of it? Presumable is has to do with when Dumbledore and Grindelwald were boys together, but how do we know when that was? 

A quick check of the HP Lexicon by Steve Vander Ark has created this Time Line -

http://www.hplex.info/timelines/timeline_dumbledore.html

Though I'm not sure where all the information comes from, it seems if we work out the time line, it seems Dumbledore was only 116 when he died. 

I think in JKR's imagination, she saw him as much older (~150yrs), and it is just by coincidence that the "MATH" doesn't bare her out. 

As to Madam Promfrey, I think she is a Madam out of respect. The professors all have the title "Professor" and it seems to be granted based simply on having the job of teacher. So, any woman in a position that demands a degree of respect would automatically be addresses as Madam. 

Madam Mulkin's Robes for all Occasions
Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop
Madam Pomfrey - School Nurse
Madam Prince - Hogwarts Librarian
Madam Hooch - Quidditch Referee & Broom Flying Instructor
Madam Maxime - Head Mistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
Madam Z. Nettles of Topsham - Quoted in the Quickspell Course
Madam March - old witch on Knight Bus
Madam Rosmerta - Proprietor of the Three Broom Sticks Pub

While it could be an indication of marital status, I don't necessarily think it has to indicate that, but merely and older woman in a position of respect. 

Just a few thoughts. 

PS:

Though I had long forgotten about it, I had an essay published in the Lexicon about the size of Hogwarts and how it could fit on the Maraunder's Map. For those interested -

http://www.hplex.info/essays/essay-marauders-map.html

Steve/bboyminn