As we look into the effects of discrimination that are prevalent in Harry Potter, we can recognize similar affects in our own society. The elves are treated as property and the long-lasting affects show through the ways they interact with people around them. Through Dobby we understand the loss of self-identity and the true meaning of being free to someone who is not. Dobby shows readers that even though he strives to be free, he never really is. The elves, through time, were conditioned to believe that they were meant to serve wizards and anyone who goes against that is not loyal to being an elf. Dobby is different from any other elf and although he enjoys working, he wants to be able to control how much he works. Through loss of self-identity we see the way Dobby does not refer to himself as an individual, he calls himself "Dobby" when he speaks instead of "I." These subtle lifestyle choices he makes shows a lot about the elves lives. We once had slaves in America and we still hold discrimination as a familiar idea. Through the elves though, we see how treatment from others can really affect the way these elves, or people, will continue to live their lives after they are free.