House-Elfs and Slavery Again

[Ahketsi at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 38180

"So how, if the elves really want to keep the status quo, is forcing them
into a situation wherein they are uncomfortable and unhappy, respecting
them? At some point you have to trust the other party to tell you the truth,
and if they like their box, leave them in it. I rather thought JKR is,
probably among other things, showing that diversity is real and not everyone
does want or need the same things."  -Amanda/editor at texas.net

I agree and disagree with this. I am openminded to the possibility that house 
elves are actually best suited where they are at, but I do think it very 
likely that the elves are, in Hermione's words, "uneducated and brainwashed" 
(-JKR). I can't know this, but I find it a strong possibility.

House Elves may by nature enjoy work, but this does not take away from the 
fact that most of them cannot quit their work if they ever desired to 
(Dobby...). They not only enjoy working, but also have no other option. 
Perhaps this situation has disillusioned them. Probably many people with 
house elf's are perfectly nice, and have the same opinions as Ron, 
influencing the house elf's opinions. 

One more point I need to mention is tradition. Supposing house elf's enjoy 
work, and even servitude, by nature. House elves seem to think of their 
positions, serving their masters, as honorable and not liking their master, 
or wanting to be freed, is shameful. This way of thinking might have come 
about with the help of wizards who encouraged it, to their obvious benefits. 
It seems reasonable that elves could enjoy servitude by nature, but not 
necessarily the way of thinking that doing anything else is shameful. To me, 
this seems to be a sign that house elves are really not in healthy positions. 


They may be a different species, but they are sentient, and thus deserving of 
the same rights as any other sentient creatures, true? For muggles yes, but 
in the magical world, perhaps not. Magic seems to overcome some things, but 
other things seem to be set in stone in both the magic world and the muggle 
world (without mentioning anything specific). 

Now, supposing we're all agreed that house elves should be free (I know we 
are not of course, we really can't determine that). I would like to refer to 
Amanda's comment, "and if they like the box, leave them in it." I think that 
Hermione will be unsuccessful in convincing house elf's they deserve freedom. 
I think that they will have to discover this on their own (still supposing 
that is best). Perhaps something very big will make the hose elf's doubt 
their set-in-stone beliefs. 

Comments please!
-Jacey