Hermione and the Ragged Trousered House-Elves

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 77194

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "sylviablundell2001" <sylviablundell at a...> 
wrote:
> OK, I guess I'll have to give you Winky.  To be honest, I'd forgotten 
> just how much mayhem she actually set in motion, so I suppose she 
> deserved what she got.  She's sad though, isn't she?  Naturally, she 
> wont hear any criticism of Crouch.  Apart from her (quite deserved) 
> guilt, it goes against the ingrained nature of house-elves to speak 
> against their masters.  Even that dangerous red Dobbie feels it 
> necessary to punish himself if he lets slip a word that could tell 
> against the Malfoys.  Perhaps I'm a bit hard on the elves.  It's just 
> that I find something a bit Uriah Heep-like about them.
> Absolutely agree about the heads on the wall in the Black House. The 
> whole premise is so utterly horrible.  I also agree with people who 
> think that we are going to learn a lot more about the elves in the 
> last two books.

There have been so many postings going waaaaay back about Elves,
with theories galore. Everything from  magical contracts to not  being
what we would consider a traditional elf, but a Scottish Brownie instead,
which is very different. In the past I've postulated that it's all Tolkiens'
fault. Until LotR Elves were traditionally nasty little beasties, spiteful
and causing birth defects and cattle disease; but he made them noble
and beautiful; can't think why.

They're not my favourite creatures, either. Uriah Heap is a paragon of
upright independence by comparison. Almost makes one think of
Disney (*spit*). As a dedicated blood, thunder and wholesale slaughter
enthusiast, I keep hoping the Goblins will discover that they are good 
eating and remove them from the plot - saving of course the Guide
to Multi-Species Gourmet Cuisine by Honey Bastings.

"Right Dobby, stick this apple in your gob and hop in the oven."
"Oh yes! Harry Potter is so wise and powerful!"
"Regulo five, I think. Give us a shout when you're done."

Ah, happy dreams.

Kneasy