House Elves

[Jenny from Ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 30678

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Rowena Grunnion-Ffitch 

< I do remember arguing that treating House-elves like they're just 
short Human beings with funny ears is a major mistake. They are 
magical creatures very different with needs and desires, a fact which 
*must* be addressed if their position in Wizarding society is to be 
improved.>

I know we've discussed this one to death, but I can't stop myself from 
jumping in whenever elves come up.  I agree with you that elves may 
very well have different needs than humans as well as different 
perspectives on things.  Hermione needs to take a step back and get to 
know the elves better before she can effectively help them break the 
chains of their bondage (they are enslaved, after all).  However, what 
is partly so disturbing to me is the fact that wizards and witches 
take elves on.  Elves may not understand that there are better 
professions and lifestyles out there, but people sure do.  I don't 
believe for one moment that the Malfoys didn't know that they were 
downright cruel to Dobby, especially when he mentioned to Harry that 
his owners sometimes "reminded" him to take extra punishments.

As far as elves not knowing/thinking that their situations are so bad, 
or that they aren't magically supposed to serve wizards, I have to say 
that they remind me of my students.  My students have always had the 
worst of everything but when you always have the worst of everything, 
how do you know what the good stuff is?  They are utterly convinced 
that smoking weed cures asthma (many of them are asthmatic) and that 
punching someone in the face is the way to stop gossip.  This is what 
they believe they know; how can I convince them otherwise?  Dobby is 
enjoying his freedom, but it hasn't been easy for him.  I am sure that 
the other elves quickly focused on the fact that it was difficult for 
him to find paying work before they really thought about his freedom 
to choose his work.

We also need to remember that freedom *can* be a scary thing.  Many 
people (and elves, too) would rather stay in an unpleasant situation 
because it is familiar than go out and try something new, just as many 
people (I am meeting more and more) would rather depend on others for 
money, food and so on instead of going out and getting those things 
for themselves.  Elves have known dependence for so long, the thought 
of independence is utterly terrifying to them, and I do understand 
that, as I was, for some time, completely dependent on my father until 
his business went under and I had to learn to fend for myself.  It was 
the hardest thing I've ever faced, but I wouldn't trade the experience 
for anything because it gave me the independence I have now.

I strayed quite a bit from Rowena's comment, but I just couldn't stop 
typing!

--jenny from ravenclaw **********