House-elves/Ron prejudiced?

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 38262

Ron *and* Hagrid - along with several others are of opinion that 
house-elves like working. And they do. Including Dobby. Work is part 
of how they define themselves, less important to Dobby, but even he 
*is* included somewhat.

They were insulted at Hermione's suggestions:
Pension, clothes, freedom, vacation: To them, it all suggests that 
Hermione is somehow displeased with their work as she suggests they 
should not do it. They're deeply insulted by this.

Ron's "Good Service!" is excellent compliment that makes them feel 
good of themselves.

Payment: House-elf-way of saying how much he/she likes the master 
without being embarrassingly obvious. 10 Galleons/week is standard 
payment, under "no friends at all" - status. The less pay, the more 
house-elf is showing friendly attitude. Dobby explains it - he 
doesn't want more than One Galleon/week because he likes Dumbledore. 
However, he'd not accept *any* payment from Harry.

"Winky may be freed, but Winky is not so low as to being paid" - 
also... working for someone she doesn't care enough of to do it for 
free - a disgrace.

While they ought not to be mistreated, well... Ron's comment that 
House-elves like to work - well, it's just stating how it *is* - not 
a prejudice. They *do* like it - they say so themselves and act 
accordingly.

Werewolf- well, it *was* full moon, and they *are* dangerous at that 
era, also he was stressed, and adrenaline makes people say nasty 
things...

The comment about giants: Ron was telling them what wizard-born 
people see in Giants -- he's aware of the prejudice and is telling 
about it to Harry and Hermione, who are not. Not to say *he* is 
prejudices - and not against Hagrid. He was just offended that Hagrid 
didn't *tell* them. Quite another thing, I'd say.

Also, *Hagrid* said giant-mothers aren't very caring, speaking of his 
*own*. None to say it applies to half-giants in any way, though. They 
obviously *do* care, as Hagrid and Madame Maxime do.

-- Finwitch