[HPforGrownups] Re: House elves and holidays

[Morag Traynor]

No: HPFGUIDX 16774

But we all do live on the labour of others, many of whom are exploited and 
suffer worse conditions than a house-elf.  Many people think about this and 
take steps to minimize it, but many people, without being bad people, simply 
don't.  At least in the wizarding community, the elves are downstairs and 
not on the other side of the world.  I do agree it's unclear where JKR is 
going with this, but her concerns about exclusion and abuse of power have 
been so evident that I trust her to let it unfold.  I too was slightly 
surprised at Harry's seeming lack of concern, but then, he *is* the only 
character who has actually liberated a house elf!  As I indicated in reply 
to "How rich is Harry?" (whenever that eventually shows up) I think Harry 
will eventually discover that he has inherited a house and is a house-elf 
owner.  Then he will have to think about it.


>From: meboriqua at aol.com
>Reply-To: HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com
>To: HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [HPforGrownups] Re: House elves and holidays
>Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 00:23:54 -0000
>
>
> > 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
>

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