I really admire Hermione's zeal for achieving equal rights for House Elves, and the way she puts her idealism into action. And there can be no denying that some House Elves - Dobby is a prime example - have cruel masters who treat them horribly, and something ought to be done to prevent such a situation. But when it comes to the Elves at Hogwarts, I think Hermione's activism may be a bit misplaced.
We don't really know how House Elves have been treated historically at this school, but certainly in Albus Dumbledore they have as kind and fair a "master" as anyone could ask for. A master, it should be noted, who willingly pays Dobby for his service - and offered a much higher rate than Dobby accepted. Why should the Hogwarts House Elves want to be released from their duties at the school when they are so eager and content to provide for the comfort of the students? They are not being abused; they are merely demonstrating an admirable dedication to serving others.
I think Hermione should continue to champion these humble denizens of the wizarding world but also acknowledge the value of service willingly rendered. I think all of us could take a lesson from the House Elves from time to time.
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Ah, this is a tough one. I know what you mean about the house elves -- if they are happy in their service, should Hermione try to stop that? And certainly loyal servanthood gets a bad rap in our day (witness how they didn't "get it" with Samwise's character in the LOTR movies!).
But I don't think we can get around the fact that JKR has essentially painted the plight of the house elves as slavery. Dumbledore may be a good master, but it does sound as though many elves are stuck with masters who are *not* -- and in any event, are seen as second-class citizens at best. They're clearly powerfully magical, and yet they're not allowed wands? They're bound by magic that makes them inflict punishments on themselves if they betray their master's secrets? Too much potential for power abuse, I think, which is what rouses Hermione's anger and compassion.
I'm REALLY interested to see what happens with the house elves in book 7. I think we may be surprised by their level of involvement in the final battle...
Yes, I definitely think the laws about house elves are overdue for a change. The self-punishment thing is just loathsome, and why shouldn't they be allowed wands? Certainly there should be a way to put a stop to the toxic situations we saw with Lucius Malfoy and Barty Crouch, and no elf should ever be forced to stay with an abusive master.
I guess the main problem with Hermione wanting to free the Hogwarts elves is that there isn't a system in place to support them. Right now, they feel a sense of purpose and are in a position where they are well treated. If they accidently gave themselves clothes, what would they do? Of course, it there's no reason they couldn't stay at Hogwarts, as Dobby has done, but they seem to balk at his radical ideas...
What's really needed, I think, is a general change in attitude about the elves, which Hermione has tried to inspire in others, but so far she's not been very successful... I bet you're right that they will have a role to play in book seven. They could be powerful allies, and given the prejudiced mindset of Voldemort and his crew, I doubt they'll be putting much thought into a potential threat by house elves. They could be like the Ewoks; they may be small, but in force they can save the day! And of course Dobby on his own has proven quite helpful, aside from his well-intentioned shenanigans in the second book...
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