House elves and some spoilers for Swordspoint WAS: realistic solutions

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 180982

> Carol:
> 
> The only kind of "will" that House-Elves seem to have is to serve a
> master that they think is deserving, which is why Dobby and Kreacher
> rebel in their respective ways. Dobby wants to be a "Free Elf"--free
> to serve Harry Potter 

a_svirn:
If it were true, why didn't he offer his services to Harry? He spent 
an entire year applying for various jobs and never once approached 
Harry. Besides, he wanted to be employed, not to be owned by a 
congenial master. 

> Carol:
(and/or work for dumbledore to earn just enough
> money to buy socks. He doesn't want too much time off because he
> "likes work better"). 

a_svirn:
So what if he is? Is it a justification for putting him under magical 
and legal constraints? 

> Carol:
Kreacher, too, likes to work and does it
> voluntarily once he and his new master come to a mutual 
understanding.

a_svirn:
I still don't get how liking to work and even wanting to serve 
translates into wanting to be someone's property. Much less anyone's 
property. 

> Carol:
> Winky hates her "freedom," and uses it to become a miserable 
drunkard
> because she wants to return to her beloved master.

a_svirn:
Winky hates herself. She failed her beloved master and the whole 
family was endangered because of it. And came to an ignominious end. 

> Carol:
> Where do we see a single House-Elf who wants what human beings call
> freedom? 

a_svirn:
And what do humans normally call freedom? Exemption from slavery? 
Dobby certainly wanted that. Liberation from an arbitrary and 
autocratic control? Both Dobby and Kreacher wanted that. Liberty of 
action? Again Dobby and Kreacher wanted that. Freedom of choice? Here 
we go again: Dobby and Kreacher wanted that. Winky did not wanted all 
those things perhaps. But then she though herself a privileged 
servant entrusted as she was with an important mission and dangerous 
secrets. She cherished her privilege and grieved when she lost it. 
But, then, you know, the same is true for real live slavery. Those 
slaves who have privileged positions hold onto them. What else? 
Wages? Well, Dobby wanted them too, not that it has anything to do 
with slavery per se. 

> Carol:
Do they want to vote? 

a_svirn:
Goodness, you almost sound like Hermione. And how do you know that 
they don't want to vote? Then again, do I wonder, wizards want to 
vote? It doesn't look like they have general elections. 

> Carol:
> All a House-Elf wants (and that includes the so-called Free Elf,
> Dobby) is a Wizard master or mistress that he can respect and who
> treats him well. *Why not listen to the House-Elves* and believe 
what
> they say (or what their actions show)?

a_svirn:
Yes, why not. Kreacher cried "I won't! I won't", and as Dumbledore 
said, pointing out the obvious, he objected very much to pass into 
Harry's ownership. As for Dobby, he wanted an employer, not master. 
He was careful to make this distinction. Moreover even if he had 
wanted a kind master it would not have made him a slave. I can wait 
on you, cook for you and clean for you, and even grovel before you, 
but all this would not make me your slave as long as I am free to 
disobey and to walk away from you whenever I choose. 
a_svirn