[HPforGrownups] Re: Stereotyping

[liz]

No: HPFGUIDX 84915

Kneasy said:

<big snip>
>> Even a superficial analysis of the text militates
>> against Elvish slavery.  They are too strongly magical,
>> the majority seem happy in their role and the bee in
>> Hermione's bonnet is not supported by *anyone* in the
>> canon, not soft-hearted Hagrid, not compassionate
>> Dumbledore. Doesn't that tell you something?
<big snip>

Then Matt said: 

> Why does no one support Hermione?  There is a whole list of possible
> alternatives to the reason that your rhetorical question seems to be
> aimed at:

<various reasons snipped>

> 6) In the case of Dumbledore, his abstinence may just be another
> example of leaving students to their own devices in order to fuel
> their self-determination.
<snip>

Liz here:

I think Dumbledore does support a change in the circumstances of elves, just
not in the vociferous way Hermione does. He takes Dobby and Winky in as a
completely free elves, offers to pay them more than they want and tells
Dobby he can call him a 'balmy old codger' (I love that line). He stresses
the importance of treating Kreacher well, and he said something to the
effect that Kreacher is what he was made by wizards, indicating to me an
awareness that changes need to be made to stop more Kreachers being created.
I just think DD, being somewhat older and wiser than Hermione, knows that
sudden freedom for all elves would be disastrous for the elves and the WW.
DD seems to me to be the kind of person who prefers to influence ethical
issues by his living example and by giving advice when it is asked for or
when he senses receptivity, whereas Hermione does it by preaching and
constantly offering unasked for advice. I do however think their ethical
outlooks and goals are quite similar.

Liz