Snape's worst memory: the Pensieve Scene

[Ali]

No: HPFGUIDX 68337

As far as I'm concerned, Snape's worst memory serves 2 important, 
but almost exclusive functions. Firstly, it changes Harry's view of 
his father and secondly, it appears to establish grounds for Snape's 
hatred of James'. I wonder though, on this second aspect if we have 
been looking at the scene from the wrong angle.

The Pensieve scene permanently alters Harry's view of father, a 
necessary character development for Harry, on his hero's journey. 
Until this scene, James has been up on a pedestal - what would he 
have done if he was in Harry's position etc etc. For Harry to grow 
up, James had to be taken down a peg or 2 so that Harry could stand 
and think for himself. Snape's memory did what all his snide 
comments failed to do, they opened Harry's eyes. However much 
Snape's memory may have been an inaccurate picture of the whole 
relationship, or however much James may have moved on from this 
bully boy status, there is no doubt, that he was not the saint that 
Harry had thought he was.

The pensieve scene showing James' interaction with Snape, is 
horrendous. Snape is humiliated in a cowardly and theatrical attack. 
It certainly provides an explanation for Snape's dislike of James. 
However, I wonder if the humiliation itself is the reason for it 
being Snape's worst memory. I feel sure that although it was bad, it 
was probably only one of a number of similar memories, and probably 
not worthy of being removed – if it were not for one thing, Lily.

When we see James and co doing their DADA OWL, James finishes early, 
and starts doodling L.E. on scrap paper, this is surely Lily Evans. 
He fancies her even at this stage, and his later offer to stop 
taunting Snape if she will go out with him, is genuine, however 
crass.  I wonder if the pensieve scene is important to Snape because 
he ruins his chances with Lily by calling her a Mudblood. His 
humiliation is deepened because the girl of his secret affections 
comes to defend him, and in his humiliation he attacks her. Imagine, 
a Dark Arts loving teenager falling for a Muggle Born, the feelings 
in themselves must have caused confusion enough, but to be defended 
by her, would be at once both wonderful and terrible. Wonderful 
because she cared, and terrible because he *couldn't* be defended by 
a girl and a Muggle-born.

I believe that this scene probably marked Snape's acknowledgement of 
his secret affection and the realisation that he had scuppered any 
chances with Lily that he might have had. For James to later get 
*his* girl would have been totally abhorrent to Snape.

Of course, I realise that the above is only a possible 
interpretation of events, but it does fit. 

I still wonder whether there is any mileage in Severus Snape as an 
anagram of Perseus Evans. Whilst I am convinced that this is no 
coincidence, it is possible that it will prove to a red herring. I 
believe that the introduction of Mark Evans as Dudley's bullyboy 
victim in OoP is also deliberate, and if it is not significant, then 
JKR is rather over-partial to that surname.

Ali