Dobby revisited

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 83706

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Matt" <hpfanmatt at g...> wrote:
> 
> On the mechanics of Dobby being freed, however,
> I'm disappointed that you haven't addressed the
> most direct canon we have on the mechanism, 
> namely Dobby's statement to Harry (which I
> paraphrased, #83507, and Annemehr quoted, #83492) 
> that "The family is careful not to pass Dobby 
> even a sock, sir, for then he would be free to 
> leave their house forever."
> 

A bit  of indirect evidence (maybe).

Dobby certainly has the use of the iron. He says that the 
Malfoys make him iron his hands. It's a fair  bet that he irons
the family clothes -  why else have an Elf if not to do the
household chores, including washing and ironing? You don't
keep a dog and bark yourself. I certainly  can't see Narcissa
rubbing out her smalls in the kitchen sink.

Note that Lucius doesn't 'pass' or 'hand' Dobby the sock anyway,
he just throws it aside. If this constitutes presenting clothes, the
home life of the Malfoys would be fraught with pitfalls. Search the
bedroom before undressing in case Dobby leaps out from under
the bed and makes a dive to catch underwear before it hits the ground? 
I can't see it somehow. 

I suspect Dobby was indulging in hyperbole, just as he was
when he called  Harry  a 'great wizard'.

Kneasy