[HPforGrownups] Re: Freedom for House-Elves (long-ish) (Was: Kreacher the Plot Device Elf)

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 161905

Magpie:
>> Sure, they were all basing their characters on something--but the 
>> question is why would JK Rowling be using that particular view of 
 >> slaves in her books today? She's supposed to be a 21st century
 >> author, one of whose themes is that Wizards viewing other species
 >> as inferior is wrong. So why would she feel she needed a race
 >> based on 19th century slave stereotypes?

Charles:
> I'm not so sure that she based the house elves themselves on those 
> stereotypes. I think she rather built the view that *Harry* sees from 
> the WW on those stereotypes. The elves are certainly not like human 
> slaves, nor is their slavery exactly paralell.

Bart:
	Well, if you're looking for 21st century equivalents, especially from a 
British point of view, consider the position of women under Sharia Law. 
Time and time again, we have women go in front of TV cameras saying that 
they WANT rules like being forced to wear burkhas, not being allowed 
outside without a male relative or husband to be in charge, not allowed 
to speak to others without permission from their husband, father, 
brothers, or sons, etc. There is a movement to allow Islamic people in 
many European countries, including Great Britain, live under Sharia law. 
Those who say this is wrong are called unsophisticated or fascists or 
cultural bigots.

	Sound familiar?

	Bart