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Sunday, September 26, 2010

Why I Love Dobby the House Elf

Why I Love Dobby the House Elf
by Allison from The Allure of Books

Just hearing or seeing the name "Dobby" brings a mix of emotions stirring up in me. Love, respect, mild irritation, humor...and a broken heart. They're all there. He is one of my most beloved and treasured book characters of all time.

He is the textbook definition of epic hero - but he earns the distinction with style.

When we first meet him, he is trying to inflict some type of mental or physical harm on Harry (he isn't picky...just wants him incapacitated in some way). Not a particularly auspicious beginning. But no worries - he just wants to save his life by harming Harry himself instead of leaving it to others that might do a more complete job of it. Even though his efforts were - shall we say, misguided? - he is already showing himself to be unusually brave and loyal. Especially considering the fact that he is "just" a house-elf.

He devotes himself absolutely and completely to Harry - coming to his rescue more than once throughout the series. He and Harry form a deep friendship, but Dobby never stops idolizing Harry. Every time they interact his awe and deep respect is evident.

Dobby ultimately dies in the process of saving Harry one last time. His death is the most acknowledged and dwelled upon in the last book. In my opinion, no one is more deserving of the honor - or of the title "hero."

So: here's to Dobby, A Free Elf.

9 comments:

  1. *sobs* I MISS DOBBY! COME BACKKKKKKK!!! :'(

    I don't want to see him die in the movie. When Dumbledore died in the movie, I cried, really cried. Others in cinema stared/laughed wtheck. watch the movie not me!

    Oops, off-topic. My point is, when he dies in the movie, I'll probably cry like how I cried for Dumbledore. :(

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  2. I agree, I think I was more upset about Dobby dying than some of the other characters. :)

    M

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  3. It's weird. I didn't really like Dobby but when the last book came around & he ended up dying - I realized I'd formed a sort of attachment to him along the way. When I was him in the newest preview for the movie - I started to cry.

    However -I think I'll probably cry the hardest for Snape.

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  4. I was somewhat irritated with Dobby as we first met him - misguided is a great term. However, his loyalty was unswerving and he was a great character - so bold and he definitely thought outside the box. I cried all through his death scene in Book 7 and I fear that I will be sobbing during the movie as well.

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  5. He's my favorite! And whenever I re-read Deathly Hollows, I cry when he dies! I've seen the shots of his movie "funeral", and cried from the still images!

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  6. Dobby was and will always be a character that I love and adore. The deaths of all the people in Deathly Hallows do not compare to losing Dobby. I bawled my eyes out when I read that and seeing him in the new DH trailer makes me hope that they make that scene unforgettable.

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  7. Yup, another character I loved from HP.

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  8. Oh! I did not know you are doing a Harry Potter week! Just as well....I had no time to do this but I Love POTTER AND I love Dobby! Great post. :)

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  9. I just reread the last book and had completely forgotten that Dobbie died. When that part came up, I SOBBED! His was by far the saddest death in HP7.

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