House Elf Loyalty

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 151597

Silmariel:
<SNIP>
> > ...
> > JK Rowling: "The house elves is really for slavery, isn't it, 
the house
> > elves
> > are slaves, so that is an issue that I think we probably all 
feel strongly
> >
> > about enough in this room already."
> >
> > Pretty clear, isn't it?
> >
> 
> 
> Kemper now:
> It isn't pretty clear.  Regardless of what JKR says about her 
intentions,
> they don't seem to come across that way on the page.
> 
> I agree mostly with Steve.  Mostly.
> 
> The House Elves seem like endentured servants.  They sign up with 
a family
> because they get something in return... which may only be the joy, 
or
> honor, of serving.  But they seem to get something initially in the
> Servant/Master arrangement, otherwise why would the first HEs ever 
agree to
> serve a Witch/Wizard in the first place?


Alla:

Bud do we know that the first House Elves agreed to serve out of his 
own free will? Do we know that they were not being tricked into 
agreement or even worse - were forced to sign an agreement?

I mean, of course we don't have to agree with JKR in interpreting 
her works, but to me at least her intentions on this issue are quite 
clear. I think she does portray house elves with more or less direct 
analogy of slavery and knowing her intentions (since I do believe 
her interviews) that helps me ( I think) to predict what is going to 
happen to House Elves at the end. I do think that whatever 
enchantment they are under will be lifted and they will be free.

Don't get  me wrong, I think it would be more interesting for 
Hermione to find out that House Elves DO like serving their masters 
and to realise that she really should not impose her views on House 
Elves, but I think at the end her cause will be accomplished.

IMO of course,

Alla.