house elves

[imamommy at sbcglobal.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 102354

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Lady Macbeth" 
<ladymacbeth at l...> wrote:
>> The only problem I personally have with the house elves' 
situation are those
> who AREN'T happy with where they are and are mistreated by their 
masters.
> The house elves at Hogwarts are happy, otherwise they'd have taken
> Hermione's hats and run while they had the chance.  The house 
elves at the
> Malfoys may or may not be happy, but they are being mistreated, 
some
> probably more than others.  Winky was being mistreated in Crouch's 
care, but
> she was happy there.  The "win-win" situation would be in turning 
around the
> HUMANS' attitude toward house elves - making laws and restrictions 
regarding
> the care and treatment of house elves.  I'm of the firm belief 
that ALL
> creatures deserve the same or better care than we give ourselves.  
However,
> there are people on this planet who think otherwise, and hold an 
unending
> contempt for others, particularly those they see as their 
inferiors - thus
> the need for legislation to prevent abusive behavior.
> 
> -Lady Macbeth

imamommy:

Hermione's attitude on the subjuect of house elves seems to me to be 
not accounting for the whole picture.  Her methods only offend and 
infuriate the elves.  My theory is that there is a logical reason 
behind the way that house elves serve humans.  I think there is a 
piece of missing backstory here that would clarify why things are 
the way they are.

I find it especially interesting that Hagrid defends 
the "eslavement" of the elves. If anyone were to speak up for these 
creatures, I would expect it to be him.  And DD says that Kreacher 
is "bound by the enchantments of his kind" (I'm not sure if that's 
the exact quote, butI think it's pretty close).  It seems to me that 
there is something besides mean wizards that keep house elves 
working for wizards.  

imamommy
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