Ooh, shiny...!

[rj_anderson]

neotoma just made a really fascinating suggestion in a post to snapesupport regarding Snape's use of the Pensieve before each Occlumency lesson:

From what Dumbledore says in Goblet of Fire, the Pensieve is used when one's 'head is too full'. If a Pensieve actually extracts the memories, and leaves more room in one's head for other thoughts, Snape could have been

Comments

[marinarusalka]

Interesting idea. I could buy it as a partial motivation for Snape's actions, as it does help to explain why he chose this memory out of all the ones he had.

The thing is, I'm really unclear about how Pensieves works. Putting aside the question of how objective it is, and how it can show things Snape couldn't possibly have seen or heard, there's the question of what you remember after you've put a memory in. The way Dumbledore makes it sound in GoF, it seemed as if once you put a memory into a Pensieve, you no longer have it in your head. But Snape knew what Harry had seen without having had to put the memory back first. How did he know?

[fharraige]

It brings up the notion that Legilimency requires the same detachment from emotions and memories as Occlumency would. It would make sense: if one has to delve into the feelings of an adversary to gain information, the perpetrator would have to remove their own perceptions to interpret it properly.

Also, Snape normally downplays Harry's abilities, as Harry doesn't have the skills to harness what powers he does have. I think it's why it surprises Snape when Harry unwittingly does break in (using the Shield Charm).

What I find interesting is when Dumbledore admits he also a sufficient Legilimens (and thus knew Kreacher was lying to him). Yet, he is clouded by his own concern for Harry--and thus knows Voldemort could read it through Harry and use it against him. Snape obviously doesn't have the same concern towards Harry, but it could be potentially perilous if he bore any emotional ties to Dumbledore.

Val

[avarill]

You know, I've always assumed that's exactly what Snape was doing -- removing the memories that would distract him from teaching Harry properly. I didn't think his head could really become 'too full' in the strictest sense, but that the memories of embarrassment etc. at James's hands would get in the way. They certainly do most of the rest of the time.

[lydaclunas]

I agree with Rusalka's curiosity about the Pensieve's true purpose. I think Val's got it right about emotional detachment. I'm not sure a Pensieve removes a memory completely -- an impression of it is bound to be left -- but I think the finer details and the emotional associations with such a memory are what get put into the silver bowl. That way it does allow for a more objective analysis. Also, you'd be observing it from a different viewpoint, and that would probably be an asset for concentrating on less conspicuous details of a scene

[sannalim]

Now why didn't I think of that? *grin*

Thanks for passing that along, RJ.