The Shadow of the Wind-Week 2, Post A

A major difference in terms of society that I have noticed in The Shadow of the Wind is the formality in the way the adults address younger people. Typically, an older person will use more informal language when referring to a younger person (say, teens or early 20s). There is an older man in the novel named Fermin and he works for the Semperes' book store. When introduced to Daniel's best friend Tomas Alguilar, he uses formal language towards him. Fermin doesn't use this language just upon meeting Tomas, but he continually uses it as time goes on.

"After that they became engrossed in an unintelligable discussion about arcane mathematics, which was Dutch to me. From day on, Fermin always addressed him with formal usted or called him 'doctor,' and pretended not notice the boy's stammer." (95-96)

The other reason for this formality could be that Tomas has proven himself to be as intelligent as Fermin which provides for interesting discussion between the two. Fermin could be impressed by Tomas's knowledge of inventions that he decides to refer to him as an equal rather than a younger person.