Kreacher the Plot Device Elf

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 161799

> Alla:
> 
> I guess I disagree here in a sense that IMO JKR was pretty clear in
> interviews that house-elves is a metaphor for slavery.
> 
> Magpie:
> But what's the metaphor? Human slaves don't have a culture where 
> they're offended at freedom, and enjoy slavery and consider it an 
> honor, or look down on freed slaves, or feel personally guilty and 
> want to be punished when they disobey their masters.
> 
a_svirn:
Yes, they do. It's actually quite a common thing. Uncle's Tom Cabin 
and Gone with the Wind may be different as night and day in their 
description of and attitude to slavery, but they both feature slaves 
who are affectionate and faithful to their "families" and for whom 
parting with those families means (or would mean) the worst of all 
disasters. Firs, a man-servant (and an ex-serf) from "The Cherry 
Orchard" actually refers to the emancipation of Russian serfs as 
to "The Disaster". And that's just the most famous examples off the 
top of my head.