Make-Up Post for Goblet of Fire

           Memories always reveal something about ones character. In wands, wizards can use a certain spell, priori incantato, to reveal the spells that were previously cast. In a way, this is similar to a memory. The spells that are revealed show something about the character of the wand, and since the wand chooses the wizard this in turns says something about the caster himself. The prior incantato spell only shows a physical representation of a memory. This in contrast to a person’s memory that is not physical.

            In “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” we are introduced to Dumbledore’s Pensieve. He uses the Pensieve as a type of reflective device, to look back at a memory and observe the event. Using the Pensieve, memories become more concrete, and the viewer can notice interactions or changes that alter their previous perceptions. Or as Dumbledore puts it, “I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind... At these times... I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure” (518-519). The function of a Pensieve is to make a person’s memories become physical. When one looks into the basin, they can see their chosen memory in a corporeal form. Just like the reflective surface of the Pensieve, the viewer can then use the physical representation of their memory to think about their experience.

            Lastly, Harry Potter has vague memories of his parent’s death. When he recalls these memories he feels physical pain in his scar. This scar is almost an echo representing these memories. The pain is a reminder of the event, and Rowling probably adds this connection to reinforce the relationship between Voldemort and Harry. Whenever Harry remembers a memory of his parent’s death, his scar hurts, and this causes him to think of the wand and the owner, Lord Voldemort, whom murdered his parents.