House elves and slavery

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 126647


Alla wrote:

Absolutely, housework IS a noble profession, just as any work. The
point I am trying to make is that I don't see enough convincinng
evidence ( enough to convince me, of course) in the text that Elves
always wanted to do housework ONLY, would continue to do housework
ONLY, IF they were not enslaved.

I am not sure if I think that they are brainwashed, probably not,
since Dobby is indeed a very good example of that, but I am not sure
if House elves current situation is their own doing only.

Whatever elves choose at the end, is very satisfactory with me, I
just want them to be able to make informed choice, that is all.
"Dobby likes work, but he wants to wear clothes and he wants to be
paid, Harry Potter... Dobby likes being free" - GoF, p.378,
paperback.

vmonte responds:

I see what your saying Alla. Perhaps "time" has brainwashed elves 
into believing that their rightful place in life is serving humans. 
(And I do believe that wizards are taking advantage of the elves, 
often treating them like slaves.) I believe it's the bad treatment by 
the wizards that has corrupted the way elves perceive themselves. 
Winky and Kreecher are examples of what long term abuse and prejudice 
can do to a being. 

What is also disturbing to me is this: 
If the elf culture thinks that serving humans is a noble profession, 
why do they then have a method in which they can be freed from 
servitude? What is it with the whole thing about wearing filthy rags, 
and not being allowed new clothing? This is disturbing. 

If elf tradition is passed down orally, perhaps something important 
about their past has been forgotten?  Maybe they were once a mighty 
race but they've forgotten their past. With all the hidden power 
elves have, I'm now starting to wonder Alla if they were always under 
the rule of wizards?
 
Vivian