House elves and holidays

[meboriqua at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 16769


> What I'm trying to say (albeit in a very long-winded way) is that 
JKR 
> is probably gently poking fun at the intensity of teenage obsessions 
-
> how black and white/ life and death, issues can seem. 
> 
> Catherine

That's interesting, Catherine, that people find the whole thing 
amusing.  I didn't see it that way at all, but that's why I love this 
site; getting a myriad of opinions and perspectives all the time.

Some people I've spoken to say that JKR is taking a big risk with her 
house elf story line.  I guess I saw it as another way JKR was trying 
to teach about something.  What I'm still trying to figure out, 
though, is why no one wants to listen to Hermione and SPEW.  I was 
completely on her side and was even a bit disappointed with *gasp* 
Harry for not backing her more.

I can't really poke fun at oppression, and as much as I like the 
theory about the shoemaker elves (thanks, Magda), I am still 
uncomfortable with where JKR is with Dobby, Winky and the others.  If 
I was a rich witch, I can't imagine (as me) thinking it was okay to 
have a house elf.

--jenny f