OoP: Pensieve Speculation

[backstagemystic]

No: HPFGUIDX 67543

S
P
O
I
L
E
R 

S
P
A
C
e
 

Felinia: 

>>2) Why doesn't Snape simply *leave* the painful memories out of 
his head and in the Pensieve? I don't know if it's something that 
would harm the integrity of other mental functioning - it doesn't 
seem to hurt Dumbledore - and frankly, I'd think the painful teenaged 
memories are something he'd like to store somewhere else for good. I 
can't see that they'd do him much good on a daily basis except to 
fuel a grudge that should have long ago been set aside and laid to 
rest.<<

Corinth:

>The Pensieve belonged to Dumbledore. Snape couldn't very well return 
the used Pensieve still carrying his own thoughts. A bit rude, don't 
you think? :)<


BackstageMystic:

I'm not a psychologist, but I think it's safe to say that our 
experiences, thoughts and perceptions, whether good or bad, play a 
major role in our identity and character development.  

Our experiences also give us a library of knowledge for future 
reference (i.e. our mind will compare new stimuli and information 
with whatever it has in its database to help in its analysis).

We gain wisdom from all of our experiences, even if those experiences 
have an adverse effect on us.  

Finally, examining our memories, thoughts and perceptions can help us 
better understand ourselves...even help us over-come psychological 
dysfunctions (if we've reached a stage where we're ready to deal with 
them).

I don't know that Snape remvoing painful memories involving James 
would necessarily help him.  I get the impression that there's still 
a residual echo leftover when a memory is removed (especially if a 
memory had a deep impact).

Dumbledore said that he thought that Snape could overcome his 
feelings about James, but noted that he forgot that "...some wounds 
run too deep for the healing."    

So, removing a specific memory wouldn't necessarily change a set 
emotional/behavioral pattern, especially if it's deeply ingrained.   

I would guess that if Snape left behind those memories, it could 
destabilize him.   It would be very disconcerting for him to feel 
strong emotions of animosity, or otherwise, but not understand WHY he 
was feeling them.

IMO, Snape didn't seem comfortable to leave memories in the Pensieve 
for long...he removed them just before Occlumency lessons with Harry, 
and immediately replaced them as soon as the lessons were done (with 
the exception of the time when Draco interrupted the session in order 
to fetch Snape to handle a situation).

BM