House Elves and Laundry (brief musing)

[IAmLordCassandra at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 33699


Barbara writes: 


> > > > >  Now, if 
> > > > > freeing an elf can happen as inadvertently (on
> > > > Malfoy's part) as it 
> > > > > did to Dobby, how can elves do any of these jobs
> > > > handling clothes?  I 
> > > > > thought one had to be careful not to pass them
> > > > even a sock.


Lotus thinks: 

> > > > 
> > > > I think there is a big difference from handing them
> > > > clothing to asking them 
> > > > to pick up clothing. I think if a house elf picks up
> > > > clothing on their own, 
> > > > it's not the same as giving them clothing to wear. 
> > > 


Drieux suggested: 

> > > A question of intent, perhaps.  I read that being the
> > > case when Crouch Sr. sacks Winky (who, oddly enough,
> > > is called 'Whiney' in these parts).  Yet, the opposite
> > > side is represented when Lucius Malfoy inadvertantly
> > > tosses Harry's sock to Dobby; I seriously doubt that
> > > he intended to free his 'slave'.  Comments on this
> > > occur in GoF at the World Cup game, of course.
> > 


I (Cassie) say: 

> You also have to take into account the fact that the house elves 
> (with the 
> exception of Dobby and maybe a tiny selection of others) don't want 
> to be 
> freed. Most elves would probably make it a point *not* to take 
> clothing 
> directly from their masters, even jump out of the way to avoid a 
> sock their 
> master had thrown. 
> 
> ~Cassie-who hopes AOL's blue line hasn't made her post confusing~ 


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