[HPforGrownups] Two Questions and a Request

[Taryn Kimel]

No: HPFGUIDX 87839

Oryomai:
1. Why are the memories of Snape's that Harry sees set up the way they are?  To understand what I mean, we have to see the passage:
OoP, page 591-591 American Hardback Edition (yea baby!)
Snape staggered; his wand flew upward; away from Harry -- and suddenly Harry's mind was teeming with memories that were not his -- a hook-nosed man was shouting at a cowering woman, while a small dark-haired boy cried in a corner . . .. A greasy-haired teenager sat alone in a dark bedroom, pointing his wand at the ceiling, shooting down flies . . .. A girl was laughing as a scrawny boy tried to mount a bucking broomstick-
<<END PASSAGE>>

My question is this: Why are Severus' memories shown from a third person POV?  Why didn't Harry see from inside Severus' head?  Why are his memories viewed as if he was outside his body watching himself?  Any ideas?

Taryn:
Well, that seems to be a consistent feature of Pensieves. Dumbledore's memories were also recorded in this manner--Harry finds himself seated NEXT to Dumbledore, not viewing AS Dumbledore. I think that's why Pensieves are so useful--they allow you to take an outsider's view, even though it's your own memory, without actually living it. A way of looking at something a bit more objectively, perhaps. Wouldn't it be nice to view a memory where you were very emotional about something and, because you're looking from a calm, uninvolved perspective, be able to see things differently?

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Taryn : http://taryn.shirataki.net

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