Goblins are canonically considered by wizards to be subservient to them, along with most of the other magical races. They’re not like house elves, who love being slaves, they’re like a rung above them on the hierarchy of fantasy races in Joanne’s fictional universe.
They are universally regarded with mistrust because of a founding myth that states they unjustly stole a historic Wizarding artifact, one of the only weapons that can kill basilisks, from the most courageous wizard about to fight the most evil wizard who commanded a basilisk.
The lore of the seventh book also pretty much paints them out to be communists who believe that the crafter of an item rightfully belongs to them and not the person paying them.
They’re money obsessed, untrustworthy, regarded with suspicion over their loyalties, painted functionally as communists, and have a foundation myth about betraying maybe the most famous and revered wizard in history. Make of that what you will.
I don’t think they were slaves, but wizards are very racist to other species and do consider them second class citizens.
I’m not sure this made it better…
Goblins are canonically considered by wizards to be subservient to them, along with most of the other magical races. They’re not like house elves, who love being slaves, they’re like a rung above them on the hierarchy of fantasy races in Joanne’s fictional universe.
They are universally regarded with mistrust because of a founding myth that states they unjustly stole a historic Wizarding artifact, one of the only weapons that can kill basilisks, from the most courageous wizard about to fight the most evil wizard who commanded a basilisk.
The lore of the seventh book also pretty much paints them out to be communists who believe that the crafter of an item rightfully belongs to them and not the person paying them.
They’re money obsessed, untrustworthy, regarded with suspicion over their loyalties, painted functionally as communists, and have a foundation myth about betraying maybe the most famous and revered wizard in history. Make of that what you will.
Both better and worse, I’d say 🤷