House elves and holidays

[Scott]

No: HPFGUIDX 16791

Hi you guys!
Does anyone remember me? I've been away from the computer so long. 
(It was broken.) There are so many messages to catch up on (over 700) 
and I'm not going to try.

About the House Elves. I find subject this subject very interesting. 
Anyway...

Catherine wrote:
"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."

--I agree with this wholeheartedly, though I certainly didn't find 
the House Elves funny. Hermione is at the age where you can really 
see the injustices of the world clearly for the first time, and yet 
all the while see that you're powerless to stop it, and trying 
anyway. I think she's to be admired for her strengh and will, even if 
it doesn't seem to be getting her anywhere.

Jenny wrote:
"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."

--I didn't find it funny either, though like I said I can see where 
Catherine(')s coming from. On first read however I didn't equate them 
to slavery, though I see where people see that too. Needless to say 
JKR must, since she brought it about, address this problem somehow. I 
have enough confidence in her that it'll be done with grace and most 
of us will be pleased. 

"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'd like to say I'm suprised  that no one listened to her, but I'm 
not. Obviously you've not had an unpopular opinion of which you tried 
to convince those around you. :-( Hermione's whole SPEW concept goes 
against popular wizarding belief. Even those who subconciously think 
"Maybe she IS right" don't want to believe it, since it is so much 
easier to just accept things the way they are. Remember when 
Dumbledore said "You will have to choose between what is easy and 
what is right." (paraphrased). I think that is as true for the HE(')s 
as it is for Voldemort's return.

Where JKR takes this subplot in future books will be interesting 
indeed. Now a thought I had (and excuse my history it's most likely 
wrong.) In the US civil war didn't escaped slaves who had fled to the 
North then join the Union army and fight against the south? If so, 
and if you're going to compare slavery and HE oppression, then 
mightn't the HE's turn around and fight against those evil masters. 
(i.e. the Malfoy's.)


"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."

--No oppression isn't a funny subject. You can consider me a card 
carrying member of S.P.E.W.

Scott