Comments | potter_cliche: What "master" means

amorettea in potter_cliche

What "master" means

Aug 12, 2006 11:54

There seems to be a common misconception about what exactly a "master" is in the British school system. I frequently see--and it makes me gnash my teeth every time--the assumption that because Snape is referred to as the "potions master" he has a post-graduate degree in potions ( Read more... )

Comments 12

finmagik August 12 2006, 20:00:31 UTC

Though a non-Brit I noticed this in fics and it irked me to no end.

randomspectator August 12 2006, 21:06:57 UTC

He is, however, refered to as Professor, which does indicate that he post graduate work leading to his being appointed a post, a Proferssorship. (sp?!)

British high schools do, on occasion, call formal events 'proms' as well. When my sister left year 11, the party they had was described as being a 'prom' though this is most probably just the infiltration of an Americanism.

purpleygirl August 12 2006, 22:32:57 UTC

That 'professor' thing confuses me, too. I mean, do we really believe Lupin, for example, earned that title and therefore is still technically a professor? I guess it's just a wizarding teaching eccentricity. Still, it's a bit odd, seeing as there is apparently no Wizarding University. :/

As to the 'prom's -- it was called a grad ball at my uni. Otherwise, I agree it's probably an Americanism. We do like to keep hip. ;)

And why do some capitalise the 'Master' bit? I don't think JKR ever does (I may be wrong).

And while we're on the subject of titles, why are the women referred to as 'Madame', as in Madame Rosmerta, etc? Is this just an influence from JKR's time in France?

randomspectator August 12 2006, 22:39:35 UTC

hm...it is odd, the way JKR uses Professor is generally just to indicate they're teaching staff though, for example when Hagrid is teaching there is some reference to him as 'Professor Hagrid,' so perhaps, although in the 'normal' world it's generally taken to mean the person is someone who holds a doctorate and has been invited to a Professorship, in the Wizarding world it just means someone who has been invited to a teaching position at Hogwarts.

I think JKR does capitalize 'Master' sometimes...but again, I'm not sure.

'Madame' really irritates me, there's really no reason for it as far as I can see!

amorettea August 12 2006, 23:36:59 UTC

All the teachers are called "Professor," including Gilderoy Lockhart. I suspect it is a title of respect and a throwback to earlier days when all male teachers were called "Professor." J.K. Rowling has said there is no wizarding university system so, again, I'm inclined to think Snape doesn't have a special "degree" and definitely not a masters.

the_reda August 13 2006, 02:52:18 UTC

I absolutely agree on "Master" not meaning M.A.
And while I do see the explanation of "master" meaning "teacher" as plausible there is the fact that not all teachers are referred to as master/mistress.
Apart from Headmaster/mistress which clearly is a job description not an acquired title, "master" could have a different meaning than "Professor/teacher".

The WW is rather old fashioned. To me "master" sounds like the midieval term for someone who has finished an apprenticeship i.e. master craftsman.This would imply further education, but not of the university kind, but, as said an apprenticeship with another master of the art.

But then, at the end it all boils down to JKR making it up.

cspinks August 14 2006, 00:37:29 UTC

Not all the teachers are referred to as master/mistress because not all teachers suit it. Even Snape isn't referred to as a schoolmaster very often, but Snape gets the, er, privilege because he's a quite old-fashioned, somehow Dickensian-style teacher character. McGonagall could possibly warrant a 'mistress', but calling herself a mistress of the school makes it sound as though Hogwarts is cheating on its wife.

It could also be J. K. Rowling's way of commenting on Snape's teaching ability that she prefers not to call him 'teacher'.

amorettea August 14 2006, 05:08:51 UTC

I like those theories! Both that Snape is "Dickensian" (especially now that we've seen his home!) and not a particulary good teacher!

black_spot August 15 2006, 19:02:17 UTC

Ah! Grasshopper, you have much to learn yet.

black_spot August 15 2006, 19:04:34 UTC

Bog! Me hmtl bits didn’t work. < /tongue in cheek > didn’t come out. Preview may turn out to be my best friend.

hanfastolfe October 27 2006, 03:58:59 UTC

My assumption, like some others, is that the wizarding world uses the medieval apprentice system, and so a "Master" in that sense is someone who has finished his apprenticeship.

But that's just one possible take. :)

proudcockatrice November 16 2006, 08:09:36 UTC

Although I come to this conversation several months after the fact, I second this chap's take on it. Apprentice, Journeyman, Master -- it's like the early version of trade schools. Rowling never says a word about it one way or the other, so we're all forced to take some wild guesses about why some people merit the title "Master" and others do not.

/me stops with the thread necromancy...