House elves and some spoilers for Swordspoint WAS: realistic solutions

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 180892

> > Pippin:
> > No. Something has fundamentally changed if Snorty has the right to
> > her freedom if she wishes it. 
> 
> Magpie:
> Unless she should happen to wish it at a time when it's really not 
> convenient for me to grant it. Because I still have to grant it. 
> She's still a slave. If she doubts it, she can try disobeying an 
> order of mine. 

Pippin:
I see your point. But the law could require you to give your elf
clothing under certain circumstances. It doesn't even have to 
be your clothing and you don't have to personally give it,
so the Ministry could  free your elf without your consent
just as Harry freed Dobby or Hermone attempted to free the Elves
of Gryffindor Tower. You could evade the law of course, just 
as I could hold a legally free person captive, brainwash her, and 
convince her to  obey me, or cut off her own foot for that 
matter. 

You're pointing out that an elf's right to freedom could be very
difficult to enforce and I agree with you, but that's not the same
as the unreformed situation where the right is not acknowledged.

I'm not one of the ones who's saying house-elf slavery shouldn't
be called slavery. I'm saying the fact that Harry still owns a slave
at the end of the series doesn't indicate that he is pro-slavery or
that he thinks the institution of slavery is a social good and intends
it to continue. 

> Pippin: 
> > There's a word for people who think slaves should be given freedom
> > on demand. It's "abolitionist."
> 
> Magpie:
> I believe abolitionists thought slavery should be abolished 
> completely. Hence the name.

Pippin:
I believe there were radical abolitionists who wanted slavery abolished
immediately by whatever means necessary, and gradual abolitionists 
who wanted slavery abolished by peaceful, legal means, and meanwhile
wanted slaves to be better treated. Both positions are called abolitionism.
Of course there were hypocritical slave-owners who wrapped themselves
in the mantle of gradual abolitionism while continuing to exploit their
slaves as much as possible. But I don't see this happening in the books.

We don't even know if Harry thought of ordering Kreacher to bring him
a sandwich. He may only have been hoping that Kreacher would think of him.

Pippin