MY 5th Scene Analysis

JKR's words in green my analysis in Silver

(pg 529) By six o'clock that evening, however, even the glow of having successfully asked out Cho Chang was insufficient to lighten the ominous feelings that intensified with every step Harry took towards Snape's office.
He paused outside the door when he reached it, wishing he were almost anywhere else, then taking a deep breath, knocked, and entered.
It was a shadowy room lined with shelves bearing hundreds of glass jars in which floated slimy bits of animals and plants, suspended in variously colored potions. In a corner stood the cupboard full of ingredients that Snape had once accused Harry -- not without reason -- of robbing. Harry's attention was drawn toward the desk, however, where a shallow stone basin engraved with runes and symbols lay in a pool of candlelight. Harry recognized it at once -- Dumbledore's Pensieve. Wondering what on earth it was doing here, he jumped when Snape's cold voice came out of the corner.
'Shut the door behind you, Potter."
Harry did as he was told with the horrible feeling that he was imprisoning himself as he did so. When he turned back to face the room Snape had moved into the light and was pointing silently at the chair opposite his desk. Harry sat down and so did Snape, his cold black eyes fixed unblinkingly upon Harry, dislike etched in every line of his face.
This is a resuscitation of the first images we get of Snape- mainly from the 1st and 2nd book. The environment is used in the same way to reinforce our primary image of Snape- the "evil" one.
Also, it just struck me how similar this entrance is to Trelawny's first entrance- very mysterious and full of intrigue. This fits because this whole scene- and the concept of Occlumency- should be juxtaposed to Trelawny's "Divination" lessons, because they both operate on the mystical process of the mind seeing the future.
(530)
"Well, Potter, you know why you are here," he said. " The headmaster has asked me to teach you Occlumency. I can only hope that you prove more adept at it than Potions."
"Right," said Harry tersely.
"This may not be an ordinary class, Potter," said Snape, his eyes narrowed malevolently, "but I am still your teacher and you will therefore call me "sir" or "Professor" at all times."
"Yes...sir," said Harry.
Very, very formalized structure- jux to Lupin's lessons. Of course, this is just who Snape is.
Snape continued to survey him through narrowed eyes for a moment, then said, " Now, Occlumency. As I told you back in your dear godfather's kitchen, this branch of magic seals the mind against magical intrusion and influence."
"And why does Professor Dumbledore think I need it, sir?" said Harry, looking directly into Snape's dark, cold eyes and wondering whether he would answer.
We wonder why Harry thinks this way, but remember--no one has told him anything about the situation with Voldemort..
Snape looked back at him for a moment and then said contemptuously, "Surely even you could have worked that out by now, Potter? The Dark Lord is highly skilled at Legilimency-"
"What's that? Sir?"
"It is the ability to extract feelings and memories from another person's mind -- "
"He can read minds?" said Harry quickly, his worst fears confirmed.
"You have no subtlety, Potter, " said Snape, his dark eyes glittering. "You do not understand fine distinctions. It is one of the shortcomings that makes you such a lamentable potion-maker."
Snape paused for a moment, apparently to savor the pleasure of insulting Harry, before continuing,
Look at the unsure adjective of "apparently". This is indicating that Snape could be thinking of other things, because Harry's doubt should be our own. I think Snape is deciding how much to tell Harry, seeing as his welfare is a concern of all on the Order, even him. And the fact that the issue of telling him too much is used as a conflict point, and makes up a huge amount of the plot, I think that's what Snape is deciding here.
"Only Muggles talk of 'mind reading.' The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by any invader. The mind is a complex and many-layered thing, Potter...or at least, most minds are..." He smirked. "It is
(531) true, however, that those who have mastered Legilimency are able, under certain conditions, to delve into the minds of their victims and to interpret their findings accurately. The Dark Lord, for instance, almost always knows when somebody is lying to him. Only those skilled in Occlumency are able to shut down those feelings and memories that contradict the lie, and so utter falsehoods in his presence without detection."
So- you're teaching him to lie? Wow... screw this tell the truth crap- a good lie will go a long way...
Also see- despite his hatred- he is not hiding anything from Potter. The truth,despite his constant deception, really is important to Snape.
Whatever Snape said, Legilimency sounded like mind reading to Harry and he did not like the sound of it at all.
"So he could know what we're thinking right now? Sir?"
"The Dark Lord is at a considerable distance and the walls and grounds of Hogwarts are guarded by many ancient spells and charms to ensure the bodily and mental safety of those who dwell within them," said Snape. "Time and space matter in magic, Potter. Eye contact is often essential to Legilimency."
"Well then, why do I have to learn Occlumency?"
Snape eyed Harry, tracing his mouth with one long, thin finger as he did so.
I wonder where JKR got this image? What does it mean? I have never seen him do anything like that before...It could be as if he's trying to form the words, giving Potter enough to know, but not enough to be a danger to anyone (or maybe even being a help to Voldemort, should he get hold of Harry's mind) Snape is definitely in a sticky situation -- to Tell or Not to Tell?
"The usual rules do not seem to apply with you, Potter. The curse that failed to kill you seems to have forged some kind of connection between you and the Dark Lord. The evidence suggests that at times, when your mind is most relaxed and vulnerable -- when you are asleep, for instance -- you are sharing the Dark Lord's thoughts and emotions. The headmaster thinks it inadvisable for this to continue. He wishes me to teach you how to close your mind to the Dark Lord."
Harry's heart was pumping fast again. None of this added up.
"But why does Professor Dumbledore want to stop it?" he asked abruptly. "I don't like it much, but it's been useful, hasn't it? I mean... I saw that snake attack Mr. Weasely and if I hadn't, Professor Dumbledore wouldn't have been able to save him, wouldn't he? Sir?"
This is the exact opposite feeling that Dumbledore has about Harry- Harry is willing to sacrifice himself for the cause- Dumbledore is solely protective of Harry, and is willing to sacrifice everyone else for Harry. Ah- this is a theme, my friend...... Harry is strangely pragmatic, too.
Snape stared at Harry for a few moments, still tracing his mouth
(532) with his finger. When he spoke again, it was slowly and deliberately, as though he weighed every word.
'It appears the Dark Lord had been unaware of the connection between you and himself until very recently. Up till now it seems that you have been experiencing his emotions and sharing his thoughts without his being any the wiser. however, the vision you had shortly before Christmas --"
"The one with the snake and Mr. Weasely?"
"Do not interrupt me, Potter." said Snape in a dangerous voice. "As I was saying...the vision you had shortly before Christmas represented such a powerful incursion upon the Dark Lord's thoughts --"
"I saw inside the snake's head, not his!"
"I thought I just told you not to interrupt me, Potter?"
Interesting- why does he keep reverting to the power thing? Maybe to still assert to him that he is the dominate person here- or even to give himself time to think----this is a dangerous game Snape plays, knowing whatever he tells Potter could possibly be used by Voldemort.
But Harry did not care if Snape was angry; at last he seemed to be getting to the bottom of this business. He had moved forward in his chair so that, without realizing it, he was perched on the very edge tense as though poised for flight.
The last paragraph is very important- as much as Harry hates Snape, loathes his very existence---he's telling Harry the why-- something that no one so far has said. That's why he's almost...excited...because he's learning something relevant to his situation- and its not hidden, it's in clear prose.
"How come I saw through the snake's eyes if it's Voldemort's thoughts I'm sharing?"
"Do not say the Dark Lord's name!" spat Snape.
WHOAH! that's out of left field!
There was a nasty silence. They glared at each other across the Pensieve.
"Professor Dumbledore says his name," said Harry quietly.
"Dumbledore is an extremely powerful wizard," Snape muttered. "While he may feel secure enough to use the name...the rest of us...
He rubbed his left forearm, apparently unconsciously, on the spot where Harry knew the Dark Mark was burned into his skin.
Okay- NOW I'm convinced he's acting like he's intimidated by Voldemort- in the chance that Vol. will read Harry's thoughts, and see this scene---could this mean a double spy thing? Another theory is that he is genuinely afraid of Voldemort's name. If this is so, this indicates that even Snape is not above "illogical" behavior (See his grudge with James also. Its the same idea). The possibility also exists that he is genuinely scared of Voldemort. If this is true, this adds a depth of Snape which makes him all the more...human. Which is what the 5th book is about, for him.
"I just wanted to know," Harry began again, forcing his voice back to politeness, "why --"
JKR now states what the point of the conversation is- to know why.
"You seem to have visited the snake's mind because that was where the Dark Lord was at that particular moment," snarled Snape. "He
(533) was possessing the snake at the time and so you dreamed you were inside it too..."
"And Vol -- he -- realized I was there?"
"It seems so," said Snape coolly.
"How do you know?" said Harry urgently. "Is this just Professor Dumbledore guessing, or --?"
"I told you," said Snape, rigid in his chair, his eyes slits, "to call me 'sir.'"
"Yes, sir." said Harry impatiently, " but how do you know --?"
"It is enough that we know," said Snape repressively. "The important point is that the Dark Lord is now aware that you are gaining access to his thoughts and feelings. He had also deduced that the process is likely to work in reverse; that is to say, he has realized that he might be able to access your thoughts and feelings in return --"
He's telling Harry- point blank- what's happening. This is very unusual- and indicates a motif.
"And he might try and make me do things?" asked Harry. "Sir?" he added hurriedly.
"He might," said Snape, sounding cold and unconcerned. "Which brings us back to Occlumency."
FINALLY!
Snape pulled out his wand from an inside pocket of his robes and Harry tensed in his chair, but Snape merely raised the wand to his temple and placed its tip into the greasy roots of his hair. When he withdrew it, some silvery substance came away, stretching from temple to wand like a thick gossamer strand, which broke as he pulled the wand away from it and fell gracefully into the Pensieve, where it swirled silvery white, neither gas nor liquid. Twice more Snape raised the wand to his temple and deposited the silvery substance into the stone basin, then, without offering any explanation of his behavior, he picked up the Pensieve carefully, removed it to a shelf out of their way and returned to face Harry with his wand held at the ready.
"Stand up and take out your wand, Potter."
The point? So Harry can't see what he's thinking about, naturally. And since Snape is on the Order (yea!) he knows things he doesn't want Potter to know- he removes them on the chance that Harry does break though.
(534)
Harry got to his feet feeling nervous. They faced each other with the desk between them.
"You may use your wand to attempt to disarm me, or defend yourself in any other way you can think of," said Snape.
"And what are you going to so?" Harry asked, eyeing Snape's wand apprehensively.
"I am about to attempt to break into your mind," said Snape softly. "We are going to see how well you resist. I have been told that you have already shown aptitude at resisting the Imperius Curse....You will find that similar powers are needed for this....Brace yourself, now...Legilmens!"
Snape had struck before Harry was ready, before Harry had even begun to summon any force of resistance: the office swam in front of his eyes and vanished, image after image was racing through his mind like a flickering film so vivid it blinded him to his surroundings....
He was five, watching Dudley riding a red new bicycle, and his heart was bursting with jealousy...He was nine, and Ripper the bulldog was chasing him up a tree and the Durselys were laughing below on the lawn... He was sitting under the Sorting Hat, and it was telling him he would do well in Slytherin...Hermione was lying in the hospital wing, her face covered with thick black hair...A hundred dementors were closing in on him beside the dark lake...Cho Chang as drawing nearer to him under the mistletoe....
No, said a voice in Harry's head, as the memory of Cho drew nearer, You're not watching that, you're not watching it, it's private --
Again, the feeling that strikes Harry the hardest is one of love?
(Just a thought- I wonder how Snape responded when he found out that the Sorting Hat told Harry he would do well in Slytherin?)
He felt a sharp pain on his knee. Snape's office had come back into view and he realized that he had fallen to the floor; one of his knees had collided painfully with the leg of Snape's desk. He looked up at Snape, who had lowered his wand and was rubbing his wrist. There was an angry weal there, like a scorch mark.
"Did you mean to produce a Stinging Hex?" asked Snape coolly.
"No, " said Harry bitterly, getting up from the floor.
(535). "I thought not," said Snape, watching him closely. "You let me get in too far. You lost control."
"Did you see everything I saw?" Harry asked, unsure whether he wanted to hear the answer.
"Flashes of it," said Snape, his lip curling. "To whom did the dog belong?"
"My Aunt Marge." Harry muttered, hating Snape.
Why does he hate Snape? Because he is breaking into his mind, and Harry can't do anything about it?
"Well, for a first attempt that was not as poor as it might have been," said Snape, raising his wand once more. "You managed to stop me eventually, though you wasted time and energy shouting. You must remain focused. Repel me with your brain and you will not have to resort to your wand."
"I'm trying," said Harry angrily, "but you're not telling me how!"
"Manners, Potter," said Snape dangerously. "Now, I want you to close your eyes."
He might be offended, but he realized he really didn't tell Potter how, so he does...
Harry threw him a filthy look before doing as he was told. He did not like the idea of standing there with his eyes shut while Snape faced him, carrying a wand.
"Clear your mind, Potter," said Snape's cold voice. "let go of all emotion...."
But Harry's anger at Snape continued to pound through his veins like venom. Let go of his anger? He could as easily detach his legs
"You're not doing it, Potter...you will need more discipline than this...Focus, now..."
Harry tried to empty his mind, tried not to think, or remember, or feel....
"Let's go again...on the count of three...one -- two -- three -- Legilmens!"
A great black dragon was rearing in front of him....His father and mother were waving at him out of an enchanted mirror....Cedric Diggory was lying on the ground with blank eyes staring at him....
(536). "NOOOOOO!"
He was on his knees again, his face buried in his hands, his brain aching as though someone had been trying to pull it from his skull.
"Get up!" said Snape sharply. "Get up! You are not trying, you are making no effort, you are allowing me access to memories you fear, handing me weapons!"
Harry stood up again, his heart thumping wildly as though he had really just seen Cedric dead in the graveyard. Snape looked paler than usual, and angrier, though not nearly as angry as Harry was.
What made Snape pale?-father, mother in mirror? OR Cedric dead on the ground...
"I -- am -- making -- an -- effort," he said though clenched teeth.
"I told you to empty yourself of emotion!"
"Yeah? Well, I'm finding that hard at the moment," Harry snarled.
"Then you will find yourself easy prey for the Dark Lord!" said Snape savagely. "Fools who wear their hearts proudly on their sleeves, who cannot control their emotions, who wallow in sad memories and allow themselves to be provoked this easily -- weak people, in other words -- they stand no chance against his powers! He will penetrate you mind with absurd ease, Potter!"
This so embodies Snape's character--what he believes is a strength- and a weakness.
"I am not weak," said Harry in a low voice, fury now pumping through him so that he thought he might attack Snape in a moment.
"Then prove it! Master yourself!" spat Snape. "Control your anger, discipline your mind! We shall try again! Get ready, now! Legilmens!"
Here is the word "prove" again! and "master"! He's giving Harry the chance he's wanted for so long- to prove that he is capable of mastering himself-that he is fully capable of dealing with anything. Maybe the anger comes from the fact that Harry has been bitching about being the Boy-Who-Lived and having survived all this stuff, but hasn't been allowed to do anything because he's too young. So Snape, in a rather refreshing way- is giving Harry the opportunity.
He was watching Uncle Vernon hammering the letter box shut....A hundred dementors were drifting across the lake in the grounds toward him...He was running along a windowless passage with Mr. Weasely....They were drawing nearer to the plain black door at the end of the corridor....Harry expected to go through it...but Mr. Weasely led him off to the left, down a flight of stone steps....
"I KNOW! I KNOW!"
He was on all fours again on Snape's office floor, his scar was prickling
This is amazing. Look at what has happened-- through memory, comes knowledge. This quest to know might hurt him, but it involves a reliving of memories. I believe Russell (a famous philosopher) said that through experience comes knowledge. Here is that idea in a modern use. This concept still bewilders me, and helps make this scene so important.
(537)
unpleasantly, but the voice that had just issued from his mouth was triumphant. He pushed himself up again to find Snape staring at him, his wand raised. It looked as though, this time, Snape had lifted the spell before Harry had even tried to fight back.
"What happened then, Potter?" he asked, eyeing Harry intently.
"I saw -- I remembered," Harry panted. "I've just realized..."
Look at the use of parallel verb structure of ' saw' 'remembered' and 'realized'....this is an interesting use of verbs, especially in this order. I think this suggests that through a memory, a repressed memory, he gathered knowledge -- almost supposing that we already have all of our knowledge, it is the mere act of recovering it, of realizing the facts for what they are that is the process of learning. And so isn't it wonderfully ironic that Snape is the one who demonstrates this trait to Harry?
"Realized what?" asked Snape sharply.
Harry did not answer all at once; he was still savoring the moment of blinding realization as he rubbed his forehead....
He had been dreaming about a windowless corridor ending in a locked door for months, without once realizing that is was a real place. Now, seeing the memory again, he knew that all along he had been dreaming about the corridor down which he had run with Mr. Weasely on the twelfth of August as they hurried to the courtrooms in the Ministry. It was the corridor leading to the Department of Mysteries, and Mr. Weasely had been there the night that he had been attacked by Voldemort's snake....
He looked up at Snape.
"What's in the the Department of Mysteries?"
"What did you say?" Snape asked quietly and Harry saw, with deep satisfaction, that Snape was unnerved.
"I said, what's in the Department of Mysteries, sir?" Harry said.
"And why," said Snape slowly, "would you ask such a thing?"
"Because," said Harry, watching Snape's face closely, "that corridor I've just seen -- I've been dreaming about it for months -- I've just recognized it -- it leads to the Department of Myseteries....and I think Voldemort wants something from --"
"I have told you not to say the Dark Lord's name!"
They glared at each other. Harry's scar seared again, but he did not care. Snape looked agitated. When he spoke again, he sounded as though he was trying to appear cool and unconcerned.
(538)
"There are many things in the Department of Mysteries, Potter, few of which you would understand and none of which concern you, do I make myself plain?"
This is a lie. He does not hide the truth, he does not construe it, nor does he tell it blatantly (as is the tendency in this scene) this is a lie. I do not know if this is important, character-wise. This says at least that Snape has had orders from Dumbledore to not tell Harry about the Department of Mysteries. We see that Snape is perfectly capable of telling Harry the truth -- he has not hesitated to tell him the truth in this scene at least -- but here he does not. So why else would Snape lie when he seems to take pleasure in telling Harry the painful truth? I think Dumbledore plays a part in it. I am open to any theories.
"Yes," said Harry, still rubbing his prickling scar, which was becoming more painful.
"I want you back here same time on Wednesday, and we will continue work then."
"Fine," said Harry. He was desperate to get out of Snape's office and find Ron and Hermione.
"You are to rid your mind of all emotion every night before sleep -- empty it, make it blank and calm, you understand?"
"Yes," said Harry, who was barely listening.
"And be warned, Potter....I shall know if you have not practiced..."
"Right," Harry mumbled. He picked up his schoolbag, swung it over his shoulder, and hurried toward the office door. As he opened it he glanced back at Snape, who had his back to Harry and was scooping his own thoughts out of the Pensieve with the tip of his wand and replacing them carefully inside his own head. Harry left without another word, closing the door carefully behind him, his scar still throbbing painfully.