I don’t for a minute think that it’s simply because they happen to be that way by nature. (The bigotry of wizards and witches towards magical non-humans needs no comment) I gather that it’s more a case of an umemployed elf being in deep, dire straits; but when and why did they start being boot-lickers to humans?
It has something to do with class. It’s a British thing.
They may be called “elves” but they are really brownies or some other breed of urchin. Always have been little subserviant booklickers.
They all suffer from low elf esteem.
I’m guessing this is going to be revealed in the last book, perhaps?
I agree. Those obnoxious little girls coming to my door, “oh, hi mister, wanna buy some cookies?”
I usually kick 'em. Makes 'em cry.
I’ll second the ‘its a British thing’ explaination. 
I don’t think there is a real answer to this…at least not one thats been reveiled yet in the story. Unless the author has posted some thoughts on her web site?
-XT
It’s just the house elves that have that slavish demeanor. The field elves tend to be much more uppity.
Man, I wish I thought of this first.
Bravo, Lar.
I get the impression that they’re subjugated by the “Master Race” of magic, probably very long ago. Human magic may be more powerful, especially at controlling or opressing, and when combined with their already overblown work ethic they become a naturally slavish race.
I always assumed some kind of - well, not spell, but can’t think what word I want.
I guess I came up with that because they can only be freed by their ‘master’ giving them a clothing article, thus breaking the ‘spell.’
I always got the impression that the house elves magic was way more pwerful than human magic. If not then why didn’t Lucious finish off Dobby in the CoS.
They kind of remind me of the old children’s story about the shoemaker. These elves come and make his shoes for him every night and he is so thankful that he decided to make them clothes to thank them. When they get the clothes, they are too proud to make shoes anymore.
I really don’t know the answer to the OP, but my take on it is that it is a mixture of “in their nature” and “some sort of magic”.
It seems likely that house elves are under the influence of some sort of magical control, hence the deal with recieving clothing and the inability to disobey their master’s orders even if they really want to. At the same time house elves seem to genuinely enjoy helping humans, even Dobby. It is interesting that while Dobby wanted his freedom very badly he didn’t want it so that he didn’t have to serve humans, he wanted freedom for itself (apparently).
There’s a long, long untold story between the Scouring of the Shire at the end of Return of the King, and the opening scenes of Chamber of Secrets, involving ethnic cleansing and the betrayal of friendship. Someday this tragic story will in fact be told.
Absolutely BRILLIANT! That sounds SO right. I wish I had thought of it.
But then why is Winky turning into a lush after she was presented with clothes by her master? He treated her like dirt, and yet she still feels loyalty towards him and is extremely ashamed of being free.
Plus, even after Dobby was free, he didn’t accept Dumbledore’s first offer-ten galleons per week and weekends off. He would rather get only 1 galleon per week and one day a month off.
Still, I think that Rowling did indeed draw from the history of slavery in the US. The House Elves dialect is a bit like that of slaves in GWTW (“I is doin’ what my massa wants me to do.”) . They also DO seem like the old story of the brownies, or “wee folk” in Ireland. Only I’d think you’d leave them bowls of cream, not clothes.
I think we’ll eventually find out the deal with the House Elves. (Quite frankly, I wouldn’t mind working for Dumbledore-who wouldn’t?)
Possible clue-Dumbledore saying that he would see himself with new socks in the Mirror of Erised, because he never seemed to have enough.
(However, one thing that bugs me-Hermione making all those scarves and hats and socks to free the elves. But how can she free them-she’s not their master, so she wouldn’t have any authority to do so, would she?)