Kreacher the Plot Device Elf

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 161849

Betsy hp:
> But on the flip side, JKR is taking an odd tactic of having only 
> Dobby actually express a certain level of unhappiness with the state
> of house-elves.  She's not hinted at a previous house-elf
> rebellion.  No other house-elf has jumped on Dobby's bandwagon.  In
> fact, there's an impression that Dobby would be thrilled to be owned
> by Harry.  And Harry doesn't seem all that bothered to be Kreacher's 
> owner, for that matter.

Jen:  Seeing as I can't add much to the geo-political, literary, 
sociological, etc. areas <g>, I'll offer a little magical thought.  
I've always wondered how exactly the House elves were enchanted and if 
their love of work was part of the whole bewitchment thing?  I mean, 
if you're going to enchant a being to serve a master and do all the 
dirty work, it seems like you'd enchant them to *like* it, too, or at 
least not see any other options. 

If so, then maybe Dobby's better sense of freedom is due to his 
fighting the enchantment a little bit with the Malfoys and then by 
getting socks.  And Winky didn't fight at all, but since she was fired 
she hasn't exactly been pulling her weight in the Hogwarts kitchen!  
Both might have broken through some of the magical bonds around them 
in different ways which lead them to act differently than the rest of 
the elves.

I'm a dreamer though, hoping the enchantment is lifted and knowing 
there's simply not enough space in the last book to go there. Sigh.

Jen R.