House Elves and Slavery (Nel Question ## 1 & 2)

[Debbie]

No: HPFGUIDX 126410


House Elves:  the second installment of Dr. Nel's discussion 
questions from his Reader's Guide to the HP novels.  So, without 
further ado, Dr. Nel's questions:
 
1. Jonathan Levi said that GoF was "the first children's book to
endorse slavery since Little Black Sambo." Do the Potter novels
endorse the house-elves' enslavement? Consider the positions on elf 
rights taken by Ron, George, Mr. Weasley, Dobby, Winky, Hermione, 
Sirius Black and Harry. With whom are our sympathies supposed to lie?

2. If the HP novels endorse subjugation of the house elves, do they 
endorse enslavement? Or should we instead see Rowling as recognizing 
the limitations of social reform? Are we supposed to be outraged or 
sympathetic to George Weasley's statement that the house elves are 
happy (GoF, pg 211)? A related point: Hermione says that the house 
elves have been brainwashed into accepting their jobs. Should we 
agree with her? Do we see the means through which the elves are 
brainwashed?
 
And the follow-up questions:

A.    Are the house-elves meant to be taken as literal beings, or 
are they meant to represent a metaphor for something? And if they 
are metaphoric, then what exactly is the message Rowling is trying 
to send through them?  On the other hand, are we reading too much 
into the house elves?  Could they be just another borrowing from 
folklore?
 
B.    Does the depiction of the treacherous Kreacher add an 
additional dimension to our understanding of house elves and their 
narrative function?  Kreacher's description (as well as that of his 
sleeping quarters), which emphasizes his filthiness rather than the 
doll-like description of Dobby?  What about his apparent endorsement 
of the racist views of the Black family?

C.    Consider the statements made by Dumbledore in OOP ch. 37, "The 
Lost Prophecy."  For example, Dumbledore states that 
Sirius "regarded [Kreacher] as a servant unworthy of attention or 
notice.  Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than 
outright dislike . . . We wizards have mistreated and abused our 
fellows for far too long."  How about Kreacher's treachery?  Do 
these statements alter your assessment of JKR's intent, or reaffirm 
it?   Is JKR making a point about the importance of respect?
  

D.    Many readers believe JKR is using the house elves as a means 
to explore racism.  How does this compare with her treatment of 
other beings often cited for the same point, such as giants and 
werewolves?  Are are there nuances in her treatment of different 
types of beings that suggest a different message is intended for 
each one?
 
And, some examples of what's been said before:
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/126224
Only a few days ago, Lupinlore asked about the future of SPEW
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/114016
Susana analyses the house elves' enslavement based on the behaviour 
of Dobby, Winky and Kreacher
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/109846
pentzouli sparks a thread by pointing out dangers to the WW of 
freeing the house elves
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/102588
Eric Oppen discusses the differences between house elves and serfs
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/100589
Annemehr discusses Kreacher and how attitudes can change in a 
society that accepts slavery
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/90216
Tigerqueen starts a thread on why SPEW must fail
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/84611
Kneasy suggests the house elves may be no more than a depiction of 
folklorish brownies
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/80752
DeeDee discusses the choice to be free available to the Hogwarts 
house elves
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/69863
Ebeth compares WW attitudes toward house elves to 19th century 
Americans
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/69124
Tigerpatronus compares the house elves' condition to slavery in the 
U.S. 
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/47966
Elkins explores the possibility that Winky was Crouch Sr.'s mistress
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/39279
Ama writes on freedom vs. oppression
 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/39094
Gwen's introduction to the topic in 2002, with additional links to 
early posts on the subject (don't forget to read the ensuing thread)
 
If you'd like to introduce a discussion topic (several are 
available, including Snape!), email me at
elfundeb at comcast.net

Debbie
who still hasn't posted her response to the last question
 
**************
For a complete list of the discussion questions, go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/files/Discussion%
20Summaries/

For the schedule, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/125653