Kreacher the Plot Device Elf

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 161810

> Alla:
> 
> Actually, I am not quite sure how exactly the metaphor works - all 
> that I am quite sure of that it does in JKR's mind :)
> 
> But to expand on what a_svirn said and on your response. I think 
that 
> it is not supposed to work as global metaphor, if it makes sense, 
but 
> if some slaves were indeed looled into not seeing that freedom is 
> better, then metaphor is valid IMO.
> 
> It does not mean that many slaves did not actively seek freedom, 
it 
> means IMO that when JKR portrayed house elves, she thought of 
those 
> who did not ( maybe, just speculating of course), those who had to 
be 
> shown it, if it makes sense.
> 
> But if JKR did not flat out said that, I would not be as sure, you 
> know?

Magpie:
I know I've read the line where JKR says it's slavery, but I 
honestly thought she was just agreeing with Hermione's view that 
owning sentient beings is slavery and therefore wrong. I didn't 
think I was supposed to be looking to house elf behavior to learn 
about human slaves. I think if people generally thought that JKR 
would honestly be getting a lot more questions about them. Uncle 
Tom's Cabin isn't today praised for the stereotypes it introduced--
and Rowling's house elves are robbed of what I thought was one of 
the main motivations of Stowe's slaves, their love of family. 

If the house elves are all supposed to be screwed in the head 
(certainly not just Kreacher) then we'll have to see that and make 
of it whatever we do when we read it. I can't say Dobby stands out 
to me as an elf for others to aspire to, except for his wanting 
freedom, and he doesn't strike me as saying anything very meaningful 
about slavery either. That's why I've always interpreted that line 
of Rowling's to be only about owning other sentient beings, which is 
why she can play around with making the sentient beings fantasical 
ones who actually are born to serve.  

-m