Ron, Hermione and the Elves

[nkafkafi]

No: HPFGUIDX 92473

> > Pippin said:
> > 
> > The House Elves, IMO, are *enchanted* into 
> > happiness with their dependent state. Hermione thinks that if 
> > they could only understand or  experience the rewards of 
> > freedom they would enjoy being free. But if their cravings for 
> > dependence are fed by magic, then  rewards conditioning can't 
> > cure them any more than it could lift the Imperius curse. 
> > 
>Viridis:
 The problem is we still have no idea on true nature of elf-human 
Master bond. We can't really tell if it's slavery or serfdom, how it 
originated. Certainly enchanted into happiness is an interesting 
idea - any ideas how it could be done? At the birth or is 
it "supercharm" for the whole race? Or maybe it comes from the nature 
of the bond? Hm, many options.
> It's also interesting how can such charm be broken - as it had to 
be done with Dobby, since he was not unhappy after being freed. Dobby-
mutant?
> 

Neri:
I understand that House-elves who can be released from their slavery 
by presenting them with cloth is not JKR's sole imagination, but a 
respected tradition/legend/mythology. Perhaps this tradition also 
tells us about the charm that originated it? Does anybody know 
anything about House-elves in legend and where can I read about them? 
In the Web I can't find any non-Potterian house elves.

Neri