House-Elfs and Slavery Again

[adatole]

No: HPFGUIDX 38152

First off, please let me say "THANK YOU" for bringing up these 
points, especially #1. This has bothered me for some time (especially 
since my children demand the books be read to them. It's the sad 
legacy of a youth mis-spent in theater, I'm afraid.). I agree with 
you wholeheartedly on all points, and would like to add only a couple 
of touches.

I acknowledge Grey_Wolf's assertion that we should hold off on 
wholesale debate until next week, if a Nell-focused debate is indeed 
on its way.

So I'll keep this brief...

ladjables posited
=====================
1) Dobby's voice: Dobby's and Winky's speech patterns
in GoF are extremely similar to the Black American
English of the 19th century, if there are any
linguists on the list.  Really, all we need is a "yes,
massa" and we're set.  
<snip>
If you have the voice recording (I'm not sure who is reading, if 
there is more than one version), it is interesting to note how hard 
he works NOT to sound like Brer Rabbit. I have to wonder JKR would 
have suggested that interpretation or if the publishers said "you 
can't make them sound like that, we'll get sued".

I have to believe it is for a point that the parallel is being drawn. 
Unlike certain other computer-generated characters from  epic science 
fiction movie saga prequels, who were simply offensive for no 
comprehensible reason.

2)Dumbledore's attitude to Dobby and Winky: I've often
considered Dumbledore the moral compass of the series,
<snip>
I have to wonder what Dumbledore's overall goal is with the house elf 
population. It is easy to attribute near-omnicience to the man, but I 
think that would be a mistake. He could have no idea that Hermione 
(or any student) would react so strongly. On the other hand, it might 
be just a matter of time. I am surprised that it is Hermione and not 
a student of African descent (like Lee Jordan) who is at the 
forefront of this debate. 

Perhaps D. was just waiting for events to take thier course, and was 
willing to provide a safe haven for any and all house-elves until 
that moment arrived. Perhaps this has happened before (a student 
becoming incensed) but never got anywhere because, as you point out, 
they aren't ready to accept the freedom they are being offered. It 
will be interesting to see how this plays out because I agree that 
this fits into one of the major themes of the book.

I do not at all buy into the "need to be controlled" controlled 
argument. Despite what is said in Fantastic Beasts in regard to 
Trolls, I think that house elves fall into a completely different 
category. Are they even mentioned in FB at all, vis-a-vis the 
meetings of "intelligent" magical creatures at the beginning of the 
book?

3)House-Elfs are not human:
<snip> 
A false argument in any case. You lay it out the history and facts 
quite well, and I would only add that, in the late 20th century even 
the real-world argument for how to live with other sentient species 
cannot be based on "their not like us".  To be honest, I have 
brothers that probably fall into that same category and while I would 
love to see them penned in and tethered to a stake in the yard, it's 
simply not practical. (grin).

4)Authorial Intent and Canon-Even if our information
on house-elfs is sketchy, we do know JKR finds
prejudice and inequality in general to be
reprehensible; 
<snip>
We have to base our premise, I think, that all characters in the book 
are written for a purpose, and are intended to grow and develop. 
Nobody is static. The events in the book affect them. Harry kills the 
basilisk in CoS, and Hagrid's name is finally cleared, and he gets to 
be a teacher in PoA. Was that the goal? No. Was it a logical 
consequence? Yes.

By the same token the events of CoA with regard to Dobby, which 
affect the events in GoF in regard to Dobby, Winky, and Hermione will 
not stagnate. They are not just a plot device. There must be a 
purpose and a reason.

Now, my one question given the enormous potential power of the house-
elves: Do you think it is possible that they will be recruited in the 
upcoming Dark War (my name, nobody else's) as a power-equivalent to 
the Dementors? And in that fight, perhaps the general population of 
house elves will be forced to face the reality of their own mental 
slavery, and see the way out of it?

Join me for a glass of wine at Madam DeFarge's if you agree. 
	a glass of Frech Tokay Pinot Gris, s'il vous plait.

Ama, who'll be wearing her sabots, H.E.L.F. T-shirt
and beret, and terrifying the patrons in general with
her sudden outbursts on revolution.
	Leon, who feels like a coward for not speaking up until 
someone else broached the subject, but is now donning fatigues and 
riot gear.