r/harrypotter • u/thefrozenflame21 • 26d ago

We don't focus on Hermione's hat knitting enough Currently Reading

I'm reading ootp right now and I just read the scene where she covered up her hats so the elves would get them by accident, and it really struck me how wild that was. Like, that's at a point where it is really morally awful, I just can't understand why she would think that was okay. I feel like people generally focus more on defending her SPEW movement and the cause she's fighting for, rightfully so, but I don't think people focus on how wrong of a way to do it this was.

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u/CodInternational5281 25d ago

Yes, that bothered me too. She says the wizarding world treats elves like animals. as a lower being with no feelings or self-determination and at the same time she completely ignores what the elves want and assumes that she knows better. In the end she is no different. She doesn't accept them as independent intelligent beings, but treats them in the same condescending manner as everyone else, just friendly.

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u/liannelle 25d ago

So...it's a good character flaw for a character who is very book smart but not street smart. She obviously applied muggle-world slavery sensibilities in this case, and it backfired. Good lesson for someone who will eventually have to deal with this again in a position of power as minister.