[HPforGrownups] Re: Understanding Snape

[Cindy Jenkins]

No: HPFGUIDX 91114


{Anne}

An interesting idea there, that the memories shift according to knowledge that's gained later on, and may even possibly be 'altered' by the person's own view and beliefs...

However, to be fair, although in this scenario, we can easily assign Snape a 'selfish' streak that will alter his veiwpoint of those memories, I have to object to the idea that only Snape would be doing such a thing. To be fair, if you want to use this scenario, you'd have to allow that any  memory in the pensieve is subject to subconsious (as well as concious) tinkering that is also fueled by that person's own take on things. And if you do so, then Dumbledore's memories are just as 'suspect' (though not for the same reasons)....

Cindy here--

That's exactly what I think, though.  For example, Snape *didn't* hear them as a teen, but that memory is his as an adult?  How was he able to flesh it out?  Even if he didn't slant it, how is he able to remember things he didn't witness in the first place?

Or maybe, just maybe, that's the use of the pensive.  You drop your memory in, and it magically completes it, so you can look around at things you didn't notice the first time around.  (That's what you're saying, isn't it?)  If that's the case, though, I'd suspect that teen witches everywhere would have one.  I was a teenager once, and I would have loved to see and hear what everyone was saying when my back was turned.  ;)  

I guess I'd like to see the same memory, factually, from two people's pensives to compare.  Ah well...

Cindy



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