The Rules : FAQ : Search
Member List : Sitemap
|
|
|
The Rules : FAQ : Search Member List : Sitemap
|
| Leaky Lounge » HP-Related Discussion: Diagon Alley » Leaky Sites: Cauldron's Corner » Special Event Archives » Harry Potter Book Club | Forum News: New Year's and Birthday Ball |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
   |
Dobby |
|
 Jan 31 2007, 11:36 PM
Post
#1
|
 Diagon Alley Entrepreneur   Posts: 4,399 Joined: 3:58pm June 14, 2005 Location: New York, NY   |
In CoS we are introduced for the first time to Dobby and to House Elves.
Dobby is described as a "little creature" who had "bat like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls". He considers it a great honor to meet Harry, and goes out of his way throughout the book to warn him about the dangers at Hogwarts, and even trys to keep him safe by preventing him from going. How does Dobby know so much about Harry? Why does he think he's great even though the family he serves feels completely opposite? Where does he get this idea? Exactly how much did Dobby know about Lucius plan? He certainly seemed to know about the diary being Tom Riddle's. Did he also know that it was a Horcrux? What was Dobby's plan with the pudding? Did he want Harry to be expelled, or was he counting on the Dursleys to punish him by not letting him go? This post has been edited by NYBookworm: Jan 31 2007, 11:44 PM -------------------- Not-so-proud member of P.C.A.A.: acceptance is the first step to recovery.
Vote in the new Wizarding Wireless poll What's Your Favorite New Series This Season?  |
|
  
 
|
|
|
Feb 1 2007, 09:31 PM
Post
#2
|
|
Just Through the Brick Wall  Posts: 13 Joined: 9:35am May 5, 2006 |
QUOTE(NYBookworm @ Jan 31 2007, 10:36 PM) [snapback]1082907[/snapback] Dobby is described as a "little creature" who had "bat like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls". He considers it a great honor to meet Harry, and goes out of his way throughout the book to warn him about the dangers at Hogwarts, and even trys to keep him safe by preventing him from going. How does Dobby know so much about Harry? Why does he think he's great even though the family he serves feels completely opposite? Where does he get this idea? I would suppose that since Harry is a celebrity in the wizarding world, all magical sentient creatures would know who he is. I think initially Dobby's impression of Harry's greatness is only because he somehow managed to vanquish Voldemort as a baby, while he quickly learns that Harry is also kind and polite, which further illustrates how terrible Dobby's owners are. He also talks about Dumbledore being a great wizard because of his powers and the fact that Voldemort fears him. His impression of greatness is based solely upon wizarding ability. "Dobby has heard of your greatness, sir, but of your goodness Dobby never knew..."' I think that Dobby is himself good, and because he is forced to serve the Malfoys, he is finally put in a situation where he must really violate their will and wishes. Or, maybe closer to the point, a quote from Dumbledore in a later book: ... you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy..." What is right is trying to protect Harry, and what is easy would be for Dobby to do nothing. QUOTE Exactly how much did Dobby know about Lucius plan? He certainly seemed to know about the diary being Tom Riddle's. Did he also know that it was a Horcrux? Since we learn that Lucius didn't know it was a Horcrux in the later books, it's doubtful that Dobby did either. I think Dobby knew a decent bit of the plan, but since he couldn't tell Harry specifics we'll never really know. Her certainly knew Harry was in danger, and that was all that mattered to him. QUOTE What was Dobby's plan with the pudding? Did he want Harry to be expelled, or was he counting on the Dursleys to punish him by not letting him go? As Harry had no wand, he probably assumed he'd be punished by the Dursleys, which accomplished his goal of keeping Harry from danger at Hogwarts. This post has been edited by GodBlessTexas: Feb 1 2007, 09:36 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 1 2007, 10:06 PM
Post
#3
|
|
Just Through the Brick Wall  Posts: 14 Joined: 6:03pm January 14, 2007 Location: serving Professor Snape's detention |
I think Dobby heard of Harry's feat against LV and new that part of his goodness already. But since Dobby has only ever known the cruelty of the Malfoys, meeting Harry and his inocense was just to much for the poor hous-elf to grasp!
As far as Dobby's "plans", if you will, I believe he was single minded. He just had to get Harry out of trouble, period, the end. As far as the pudding goes, that was probably just a spur of the moment decision to get Harry in trouble, and possibly expelled. If it was so that Dobby did know about the diary and it being a horcux, i seriously doubt he, being the rather unrational creature he is, wouldn't make the connection, understand it, let alone tell someone about his own theories. |
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 2 2007, 11:13 AM
Post
#4
|
|
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 50 Joined: 5:41pm September 30, 2005 |
I believe House Elves know a lot about magic. Not that I think Dobby knew about the book being a horcrux but I'm quite sure he could feel the extremely dark magic the book possessed. Unfortunately I don't have my COS here with me - so I can't quote it - but didn't Dobby say something about the kind of magic Harry would have to face in Hogwarts? Something like "no honest wizard would ever use it"? I'm not sure on this one but maybe someone finds it and could post the correct words Dobby said about it.
Hm...it's really interesting. I never really thought about it but now I find it very strange that Dobbie speaks so good about Dumbledore and Harry and how important Harry is. You wouldn't expect that from someone that served for so long in a DE household. Especially as House Elves are known for their loyality towards their masters. ...very strange. This post has been edited by Vestalon: Feb 2 2007, 11:14 AM |
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 2 2007, 12:25 PM
Post
#5
|
|
Terrortours Travel Agent Posts: 6,828 Joined: 12:34pm January 24, 2007 |
I think that among house elves Dobby was uniquely independent in h is thinking. He had his own agenda and went as far as he could against his enchantments in pursuing it. Dobby seems to talk in the name of all elf-kind about how the defeat of Voldemort improved their life and how grateful they all were to Harry, but this view does not seem to be shared by Winky, for example, even though her master (Crouch Sr) was himself anti-Voldemort. So somehow Dobby developed an anti-Voldemort opinion, and he sticks to it even when his own like does not change for the better with Voldemort's disappearance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 2 2007, 02:26 PM
Post
#6
|
|
Hiding in the Iron Maiden at Borgin and Burkes Posts: 325 Joined: 1:43pm July 14, 2005 Location: Chicago Illinois (USA) area |
QUOTE(Oryx @ Feb 2 2007, 05:25 PM) [snapback]1085451[/snapback] I think that among house elves Dobby was uniquely independent in his thinking. He had his own agenda and went as far as he could against his enchantments in pursuing it. I'm sure that Dobby is more than a bit of an independent thinker among house elves. We see that numerous times over the books, but on the other hand Dobby is as big hearted and helpful as any other house elf in his own manner. Dobby tries (really hard) to ease Winky's transition to freedom when old Barty sacks her (yeah you do hear a bit of Hermione in me over this) but Dobby also realized that he was on very thin ice with his co-workers (the other house elves) in the Hogwarts kitchens and tries so very hard to both fit in and do what is right (doing what is right instead of what is easy isn't always all or nothing). Remember later how poor Dobby does the whole Gryffindor tower cleanup himself because the other elves don't want to? How generous is that in all reality? He could have been a real snot to his co-house elves and said "No, it isn't fair that I do it all. You'll just have to take a chance on finding hats and such" but he doesn't. He takes on the extra work.QUOTE Dobby seems to talk in the name of all elf-kind about how the defeat of Voldemort improved their life and how grateful they all were to Harry, but this view does not seem to be shared by Winky, for example, even though her master (Crouch Sr) was himself anti-Voldemort. So somehow Dobby developed an anti-Voldemort opinion, and he sticks to it even when his own like does not change for the better with Voldemort's disappearance. Personally I didn't think Winky thought ill of Harry, she recognized him and even knew he had finagled Dobby's release from the Malfoy household, but she didn't say Harry was bad/a-problem she says that she feels that Harry didn't do Dobby a real service in doing so because now Dobby was (to her mind) putting on airs and looking above his station. She probably was never treated better or worse due to Voldemort's rise to power or descent from it. Remember Winky, for all Old Barty wasn't overly understanding when he freaked out and canned her, was apparently treated reasonably well. For the record, I think her being let go had far more to do with Barty Sr's concern about the fact his son had obviously set the Dark Mark than with his overall heinous behaviour towards house-elves Then he was too stiff necked to go back on his proclamation to her that 'This means clothes' but note he obviously got her an entire outfit specially made just for her which we see later when she is in the Hogwarts kitchens. Her fear of heights was real, but although we know Hermione said that Winky was forced to stay there but Barty Sr never used the seat, the reality was that Winky chose to be up with Barty JR in the skybox and even suggested it for Barty Jr's sake. Can you imagine the Malfoys allowing a Dobby to talk them into being nice to someone they weren't inclined to be nice to by choice? Dobby probably DID see a reduction in an already bad situation when the Malfoys suddenly felt free to treat all those they considered lesser beings as nothing more than dirt under their ever so polished shoes. Dobby, like very many servants, I am sure heard the plans made both back when Deatheaters probably regularly congregated at the Malfoy estate and then when Lucius (and any others he included in the plan) was planning to reopen the Chamber of Secrets by using the diary. He likelwise also probably knows exactly what conscious decisions were made to fake being under an imperious curse by those who escaped Azkaban. He would also have heard about 'The Boy Who Lived' and how he defeated Voldemort from those same sorts of conversations. It is amazing how blind people are to those who are servators (take it from an ex-waitress & bus-person you hear all sorts of things people would never think to say "in public").  Some people just forget that those serving them and their households are not only not deaf but are cognizant beings who will think about what they hear even if they never act on it.
-------------------- Wilhelmina - "Dumbledore's (wo)man through and through"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 2 2007, 02:56 PM
Post
#7
|
|
WeasleyCast's Hostess With The Mostest Posts: 6,606 Joined: 2:44am February 20, 2006 Location: At The Burrow taking cooking lessons from Molly |
** This is a reminder to please try your best to keep the Dobby comments centered on the events of CoS. We will get to his actions and reasonings when we do GoF in April.
 **My personal thoughts on Dobby are that he knew perfectly well that the diary was going to be used to open the CoS, but that he had no clue at all about the diary being a horcrux. Really, its evil enough without that added to it. -------------------- |
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 2 2007, 03:07 PM
Post
#8
|
|
Eeylops Owl Cage Cleaner  Posts: 234 Joined: 2:05pm December 22, 2006 Location: Takin' the A Train |
QUOTE "Dobby has heard Dumbledore's powers rival those of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named at the height of his strength. But sir" -- Dobby's voice dropped to an urgent whisper -- "there are powers Dumbledore doesn't... powers no decent wizard..." Hmmm... that could refer to the making of Horcruxes. -------------------- Member of D.O. 116 days until 07-21-07 |
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 2 2007, 03:27 PM
Post
#9
|
|
Official Singer of the Sorting Hat Song  Posts: 6,422 Joined: 3:12pm July 22, 2005 Location: Lost in Hermione's beaded bag  |
We will not learn of Winky or Kreacher or Hokey until much later. And Hermione won't found SPEW until Goblet of Fire, so our first introduction to house elfs and their habits and aspirations is Dobby. And what can we say about them from what we see in Dobby?
Dobby's bizarre yet comical behaviour is the consequence of his enslavement. As powerful as a house elf might be, he seems to be completely at the mercy of his master's whims. Dobby tells Harry, "House elfs were treated like vermin" when Voldemort was at the height of his power. Of course, Dobby's enslavement raises certain questions. Is he really trying to protect Harry? Or is he trying to harm him? Or is he twisting his master's words to save Harry? Is slavery wrong? Why has Dobby never met a decent wizard? Why will presenting a house elf with clothes free him? -------------------- Come the words that bubble
Up through broken laughter, Sweeter than spring-water, "Gods, I am so happy!" |
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 2 2007, 06:29 PM
Post
#10
|
|
Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes  Posts: 48 Joined: 10:57am December 28, 2006 Location: Diagon Alley, shopping of course |
When I started reading COS it stuck out at me when Ron told Harry that house elves were not allowed to leave the house unless they were told to. Is Dobby really a friend to Harry, or is he really a spy?
He could have told Harry to not go back to Hogwarts because he knew if he told him not to he would really want to, and to find out why Dobby tried to stop him. Which would lead him straight into the path of the Chamber and Tom Riddle. What are your thoughts friend or foe? 
This post has been edited by andreasizrhnd: Feb 2 2007, 06:44 PM --------------------  "In the end, it mattered not that you could not close your mind. It was your heart that saved you." Dumbledore |
|
|
|
 ·
 ·
 ·
 ·
 ·
 ·
 ·
 ·
 ·
 ·
 ·
 ·
 |
« Next Oldest · Harry Potter Book Club · Next Newest » |
|
Similar Topics
| Topic Title | Replies | Topic Starter | Views | Last Action | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
92 | Fawcett | 13,128 | 12th November 2008 - 01:20 AM Last post by: syimishah |
|||
 |
3 | nimbus xl | 531 | 18th October 2008 - 10:10 AM Last post by: hannah abbot ;) |
|||
|
0 | LeakyNews.com | 215 | 29th September 2008 - 10:48 PM Last post by: LeakyNews.com |
|||
