I am in perfect agreement with you in regards to hating those elves. I think the problem some people have is precisely what you've said: "elves are supposed to be a different species, and I'm always wanting them to be human." Of course, if you really wanted them to be human, you wouldn't put any elves in the story--what you and other readers really want is for them to be "elven." Good authors can make you realize the elves' utter inhumanity, but make you see why they deserve both the praise they receive and the complaints. The same, but very different, from humans. When that point is achieved, they go beyond the label of "human" or "elf" and become "well-rounded characters." Unfortunately, this is way too much work for some, so they just pull the "stereotypical elf" of arrogance and magic and spitefulness. Just freakin' once, I'd like to see a humble elf. There are arrogant humans and humble humans. When will the writers get it through their thick skulls that there maybe is not one kind of elf? There's not even one kind of BABOON within a species, and they're not even a sentient species!
Ok, that's enough out of me.^^; I like defending elves as a concept, so I jumped at the chance.^^; Hope it wasn't too incoherent.
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Re: Ok, I have to rant here (it's not directed at you, honest)
I am in perfect agreement with you in regards to hating those elves. I think the problem some people have is precisely what you've said: "elves are supposed to be a different species, and I'm always wanting them to be human." Of course, if you really wanted them to be human, you wouldn't put any elves in the story--what you and other readers really want is for them to be "elven." Good authors can make you realize the elves' utter inhumanity, but make you see why they deserve both the praise they receive and the complaints. The same, but very different, from humans. When that point is achieved, they go beyond the label of "human" or "elf" and become "well-rounded characters." Unfortunately, this is way too much work for some, so they just pull the "stereotypical elf" of arrogance and magic and spitefulness. Just freakin' once, I'd like to see a humble elf. There are arrogant humans and humble humans. When will the writers get it through their thick skulls that there maybe is not one kind of elf? There's not even one kind of BABOON within a species, and they're not even a sentient species!
Ok, that's enough out of me.^^; I like defending elves as a concept, so I jumped at the chance.^^; Hope it wasn't too incoherent.