Hey everyone! Angeline and I have been thinking about starting this for a while, and so here it is! SPEW: The Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare! Love Dobby, Kreacher, and Winky? Want to talk about the Hogwarts house elves? Here's the thread to do so! I'm horrible at starting discussions, so maybe some of you can!
<3DaNi=)
Full Version: S.P.E.W.
I don't know if I can think of anything to discuss, but I love the house-elves! 
I like Hermione's idea of SPEW, but I doubt that it would have worked to any great deal...unless you can change house-elves' very nature. 
Hmm, maybe I can think of something.
What do you think are the primary characteristics of a house-elf? What are the biggest traits of their personalities?
There are a lot of differences, of course, across Dobby, Winky, Kreacher, etc., but I know there are similarities, just by virtue of being a house-elf. What do y'all think?
I like Hermione's idea of SPEW, but I doubt that it would have worked to any great deal...unless you can change house-elves' very nature. Hmm, maybe I can think of something.
What do you think are the primary characteristics of a house-elf? What are the biggest traits of their personalities?
There are a lot of differences, of course, across Dobby, Winky, Kreacher, etc., but I know there are similarities, just by virtue of being a house-elf. What do y'all think?
HI DANI! (This is the Angeline she was speaking of, in case any of you were wondering who that was.) Well, I would like to join. Sooooooooo.... let me join please!!!
~Angeline
~Angeline
Which type of house-elf would you most like to have serve you?(Like Kreacher, Dobby, Winky...)
Well I choose Dobby not because he was a free elf
but because of his personality; sweet, kind, gentle, loyal. However, I would do something very different from The Malfoy Family.....I would not only pay him/her thier services but I would also give him/her vacation time, medical benefits, allow him/her to leave whenever he/she wanted to (although if he/she were gone to long I would worry and go looking for him/her), I would treat them like I would treat family and friends.I would even give him/her a wedding if he/she fell in love....Merlin's Beard they have feelings too.
Do you think elves are allowed to visit other elves?
I'm sorry to say that NO they were not allowed to visit other elves. Heck remember how Dobby was talking to Harry in Chamber of Secrets "If they evr knew Dobby was here *shivers*, but Dobby had to come. To protect Harry Potter, to warn him." I seriously doubt they were allowed to visit other elves let alone leave the house they are serving at all.
Do you think Kreacher stayed and served Harry and his Family when Harry grew up? Or do you think he stayed with Harry but was like a family member and had a room in there house?
I truely hope so beings he now likes Harry and his freinds, but I do think he was more like a family member more than anything that just hellped where ever help was needed. Even if he DID serve Harry and his family.....anything would be better then what he had at the Black's Family house.
Well I choose Dobby not because he was a free elf
but because of his personality; sweet, kind, gentle, loyal. However, I would do something very different from The Malfoy Family.....I would not only pay him/her thier services but I would also give him/her vacation time, medical benefits, allow him/her to leave whenever he/she wanted to (although if he/she were gone to long I would worry and go looking for him/her), I would treat them like I would treat family and friends.I would even give him/her a wedding if he/she fell in love....Merlin's Beard they have feelings too. Do you think elves are allowed to visit other elves?
I'm sorry to say that NO they were not allowed to visit other elves. Heck remember how Dobby was talking to Harry in Chamber of Secrets "If they evr knew Dobby was here *shivers*, but Dobby had to come. To protect Harry Potter, to warn him." I seriously doubt they were allowed to visit other elves let alone leave the house they are serving at all.
Do you think Kreacher stayed and served Harry and his Family when Harry grew up? Or do you think he stayed with Harry but was like a family member and had a room in there house?
I truely hope so beings he now likes Harry and his freinds, but I do think he was more like a family member more than anything that just hellped where ever help was needed. Even if he DID serve Harry and his family.....anything would be better then what he had at the Black's Family house.
What do you think are the primary characteristics of a house-elf? What are the biggest traits of their personalities?
A sood submissive house elf would be quiet, meek and unargumentative. I'm so glad Dobby was how he was because he didn't deserve to be ensleved. He was the complete opposite; strong, willful, but also humble and respectful just to name a few.
Many house-elves shuddered at the thought of not helping a human let alone being free. That is horrible, that they are so used to being told what to do that they can't fathom or survive if they were free. It is similar to this article I read once about prisoner's of war and when they are rescued some are so used to the floor and being uncomfortable that when they get a decent bed they can't sleep in it because it's too soft and they move to sleep on the floor so they can actually be comfortable.
This is just like the elves, a type of Stokholm Syndrome they have developed after all those years- I would definitely have been a proud member of Hermiones' S.P.E.W.
A sood submissive house elf would be quiet, meek and unargumentative. I'm so glad Dobby was how he was because he didn't deserve to be ensleved. He was the complete opposite; strong, willful, but also humble and respectful just to name a few.
Many house-elves shuddered at the thought of not helping a human let alone being free. That is horrible, that they are so used to being told what to do that they can't fathom or survive if they were free. It is similar to this article I read once about prisoner's of war and when they are rescued some are so used to the floor and being uncomfortable that when they get a decent bed they can't sleep in it because it's too soft and they move to sleep on the floor so they can actually be comfortable.
This is just like the elves, a type of Stokholm Syndrome they have developed after all those years- I would definitely have been a proud member of Hermiones' S.P.E.W.
I will buy a badge, but do you all think if Hermione got S.P.E.W big enough would it have done anything. Like would they get the hint to have vacations, sick days, pay, and so forth. That's the real question isn't it.
I understand where Hermione's coming from and all, but... I don't really agree with SPEW. I mean they are mistreated and its horrible, but its how its always been and they like it that way (except the occasional Dobby). All it did was get the house elves mad, they like how their lives are so I think we're better off leaving it alone. Maybe I'd buy a badge if it was about being nicer to the house elves, instead of changing the entire meaning of their existence. Plus a big change like this would just make them all die of shock, as Sirius(?) once said, not to mention that half of them would refuse to change.
I think it would have done as much as any other organization does... so I'm not sure what to say, haha. It raises awareness and money that could be used for something good, but you can't convert everyone. And with house elves, its harder to find a use for money.
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but do you all think if Hermione got S.P.E.W big enough would it have done anything
Well if its big, it's because people care! I think it would have done as much as any other organization does... so I'm not sure what to say, haha. It raises awareness and money that could be used for something good, but you can't convert everyone. And with house elves, its harder to find a use for money.
What do you think are the primary characteristics of a house-elf? What are the biggest traits of their personalities?
It's been awhile since I've been in SPEW! Sorry guys
The main characteristic of a house elf I think would be magic. We all know they are extremely powerful, and oddly enough it's magic that keeps them as slaves. Magic prevents them from doing things that their master does not permit. It's actually really ironic to be so powerful, yet so suppressed.
And that's another trait...suppression. Most house elves keep their mouth shut, head down and do what they are told. They might not like it, but that's to bad, they have to do it anyway. Obviously other characteristics are their looks, small body stature, big ears and eyes.
They all have their own personalities just like we do.
There's Dobby who is caring, helpful and loyal to those that treat him nicely and who are good wizards.
Kreacher: sulking, miserable, rude elf that cares only for Mrs. Black and the family heirlooms. Well...until Harry started treating him more respectably.
Hokey: all she wanted was to be there for Hepzibah Smith, but in her old age was easily taken advantage of by Voldy.
Winky: took pride in her duties and keeping the Crouch family secrets. She also had an addiction to butterbeer. She nurses Barty Crouch Jr. back to health after leaving Azkaban and aides him at the Quidditch World Cup chaos but ends up working at Hogwarts and fights in the final battle with the other house elves.
So they have their own little personalities and handles situations much more differently.
Dawn
It's been awhile since I've been in SPEW! Sorry guys
The main characteristic of a house elf I think would be magic. We all know they are extremely powerful, and oddly enough it's magic that keeps them as slaves. Magic prevents them from doing things that their master does not permit. It's actually really ironic to be so powerful, yet so suppressed.
And that's another trait...suppression. Most house elves keep their mouth shut, head down and do what they are told. They might not like it, but that's to bad, they have to do it anyway. Obviously other characteristics are their looks, small body stature, big ears and eyes.
They all have their own personalities just like we do.
There's Dobby who is caring, helpful and loyal to those that treat him nicely and who are good wizards.
Kreacher: sulking, miserable, rude elf that cares only for Mrs. Black and the family heirlooms. Well...until Harry started treating him more respectably.
Hokey: all she wanted was to be there for Hepzibah Smith, but in her old age was easily taken advantage of by Voldy.
Winky: took pride in her duties and keeping the Crouch family secrets. She also had an addiction to butterbeer. She nurses Barty Crouch Jr. back to health after leaving Azkaban and aides him at the Quidditch World Cup chaos but ends up working at Hogwarts and fights in the final battle with the other house elves.
So they have their own little personalities and handles situations much more differently.
Dawn
Do you think elves are allowed to visit other elves?
No, I don't think they were allowed when Harry was still a teenager. But their own magic combined with supporters like Hermione would have really changed the way they were treated. Especially after the war.
Having Voldemort gone it would have been different for all magical creatures. There would still be oppression but not as much as when Voldemort was around. The elves hopefully were treated better when things had settled down like visiting friends and other things without needing to ask permission.
No, I don't think they were allowed when Harry was still a teenager. But their own magic combined with supporters like Hermione would have really changed the way they were treated. Especially after the war.
Having Voldemort gone it would have been different for all magical creatures. There would still be oppression but not as much as when Voldemort was around. The elves hopefully were treated better when things had settled down like visiting friends and other things without needing to ask permission.
Do you think elves are allowed to visit other elves?
I think it depends on the family the house elf lives with. The Malfoy's and the Black's never would have allowed their house elves to visit other house elves. But witches and wizards like Hermione, Harry and the Weasley's wouldn't have had a problem with their house elf visiting others.
There was the rare occasion when a house elf broke the rules and went off on their own. Like Dobby did when he tried to warn Harry in CoS. But, he did have to mutilate himself as punishment.
I agree with Nicky, after the war things would have been different. With Hermione in the Dept. for the care and control of magical creatures and the main force of evil gone, I have to think that witches and wizards would come to realize the error of their ways and how wrong it is to treat person or creature with such disrespect and discrimination.
Dawn
I think it depends on the family the house elf lives with. The Malfoy's and the Black's never would have allowed their house elves to visit other house elves. But witches and wizards like Hermione, Harry and the Weasley's wouldn't have had a problem with their house elf visiting others.
There was the rare occasion when a house elf broke the rules and went off on their own. Like Dobby did when he tried to warn Harry in CoS. But, he did have to mutilate himself as punishment.
I agree with Nicky, after the war things would have been different. With Hermione in the Dept. for the care and control of magical creatures and the main force of evil gone, I have to think that witches and wizards would come to realize the error of their ways and how wrong it is to treat person or creature with such disrespect and discrimination.
Dawn
Do you think elves are allowed to visit other elves?
I agree that it probably depends on the family, but yes, why wouldn't they? They obviously know about other elves, and I don't think it's just because of their peculiar brand of magic. I think they visit each other when they have a spare moment or when they need help with something, although they probably react like Dobby if it turns out their master or mistress needed something when they weren't there!
But yeah, I think that they're allowed to visit each other. And I do think that after the war, maybe the wizarding world started treating them a little better, or at least recognizing that just because the wizard and witches made the laws, doesn't mean the other magical creatures are stupid or should be treated poorly.
I agree that it probably depends on the family, but yes, why wouldn't they? They obviously know about other elves, and I don't think it's just because of their peculiar brand of magic. I think they visit each other when they have a spare moment or when they need help with something, although they probably react like Dobby if it turns out their master or mistress needed something when they weren't there!
But yeah, I think that they're allowed to visit each other. And I do think that after the war, maybe the wizarding world started treating them a little better, or at least recognizing that just because the wizard and witches made the laws, doesn't mean the other magical creatures are stupid or should be treated poorly.
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