SKETCH: Azkaban and the Dementors

[Caius Marcius]

No: HPFGUIDX 22532

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., naama_gat at h... wrote:

> 
> Azkaban
> ============
> The first time we hear of Azkaban is in CoS. Harry and Ron are 
> talking to Draco, disguised as Crabbe and Goyle. Harry-Goyle is 
> puzzled at the unfamiliar term, and Draco explains, "Azkaban - the 
> wizard prison, Goyle." (p.167) Thus, the first mention of Azkaban > 
> is accompanied by its short, dictionary definition.

BTW, this is a good example of the wonderfully subtle artfulness of 
JKR's storytelling. A lesser artist would have immediately introduced 
the Dementors to us as the Azkaban prison guards.  But JKR first 
interjects the prison topic so casually that we scarcely notice it, 
or if we do, we think that Azkaban is nothing more than an ordinary 
prison along Muggle lines.  When Stan and Erm speak fearfully of the 
Azkaban guards, we think that this just means that strict 
disciplinary methods are enforced.  This makes the initial appearence 
of the Dementor in Chap. Five of PoA all the more powerful and even 
shocking - so *this* is what they were talking about!

  - CMC