[HPforGrownups] Re: Free Elves Unite/Harry as Saviour

[Laura Huntley]

No: HPFGUIDX 37055


Grey Wolf said:
>The problem with that paralellism (and any other save <insert here 
>oppresed faction> paralellism) is that all known groups that at one 
>time or another have been prosecuted *desired* to be free and equal and 
>have rights, etc. Hermione believes that the elves situation and 
>circumstance could improve by way of her campaign, but the sad reality 
>is that that campaign is *against* the desires of the *elves 
>themselves*. They feel proud of what they are, and DO NOT WANT TO 
>CHANGE. Hermione defends her position by the phrase "it will be good 
>for them, even if they don't realise it". ("For your own good" is 
>phrase that always fills my heart with fear, because it implies -sooner 
>or later- quite a bit of pain. I also find it very shacky moral 
>ground.) Hermione also talks about brainwash, but I don't belive that 
>idea. 

While you bring up some interesting points, I can't agree with your assertions here.  I believe that, to a point, the elves *are* brainwashed.  For example, in America before the emancipation of the slaves (and even for quite a long while afterwards, as I will get to later) it is true, some slaves did want freedom.  Others, however, never knowing any other kind of life, not even knowing that they *should* want a change - didn't.  They had grown up being told they were inferior, only fit to serve, etc.  They looked around them and saw the behavior of their slave peers and the behavior of the white masters and concluded that, indeed, the whites did seem to be smarter, etc.  It takes a strong mind to break through a falsity everyone around you takes for truth.  

After the emancipation, until about half through the 20th century, African Americans were still viewed as "less" than their Caucasian counterparts.  There were strict codes that had to be followed by the black population in most, if not all, areas of the country.  Blacks could only eat here, sit here, buy these things, stand on this sidewalk, use these musical instruments, go to this school.  Blacks who broke these "codes" were not only attacked socially and possibly charged with a crime by the white population, but also socially looked down upon by their African American peers as being improper and the like.

And this is all about a group of people who, at about the time of the emancipation, had only been enslaved for a few generations in most cases.  Imagine the stigma created against a race of people who had been enslaved for (as it seems in the house elf case) as long back as anyone can remember?  What kind of person would it take to break out against that, and imagine the uproar it would cause among both the enslavers and the enslaved.

Also, you seem to view the house elves as a happy, healthy people.  But consider their reaction towards Winky in GoF.  She needed help, she agreed with their state of mind, and yet they made no move to help her.  Furthermore, they express great disapproval at Dobby's choice to accept his freedom, to the point where he seems afraid of them.  If Hermione is acting as if she knows what's best for them, aren't they guilty of the same against Dobby?  Generally, a happy, healthy society does not terrorize those who do not fit in with its standards.

Furthermore, I don't believe the words "It's for your own good" are *always* bad.  For example, if my mother hadn't been willing to practically beat me every day for the first two months of my life, I wouldn't be alive right now.  I'm sure I screamed and was generally upset by this, but it *was* in my best interest.  

Of course, I may be a little biased in this case, as I am *fiercely* protective of my independence, self-reliance, etc., and that's just me, but your argument for why the slavery house elves are subjected to is not only justifiable, but *good*, sends shivers down my spine.  Aside from the Hogwarts elves, house elves seem to be required to punish themselves when they get out of line and are deem themselves unworthy of so many basic freedoms that many other human and humanoid life forms in the WW seem to enjoy.  The fact that these restrictions on their liberty are, for the most part, enforced by none other than themselves, is IMHO, not a reason why these restrictions are O.K., but the reason why they are deeply wrong.

laura


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