Howl's Moving Castle

Howl’s Moving Castle

Howl’s Moving Castle is directed by Miyazaki. Miyazaki adapts the novel of Diana Wynne Jones’ for this animated film in 2004. This story combines magic with traditional world, seeming only to describe a fancy world; however, there are actually hidden modern thoughts in the plots.

In this wizardly world, it is said there is an evil wizard who named Howl will steal young girls’ hearts. Howl lives in his moving castle, and his moving castle is around Sophie’s city. Sophie manages her late father’s hat shop and lacks confidence in herself, living an immutable and boring life, following the social conventions. Because of these reasons, letting this 18-year-old young girl looks like an aged lady. Although Sophie’s younger sister encourages her to chase after her own dreams, Sophie is still unwilling and afraid to face her heart’s desires.

Her dull life doesn’t change until she is turned into a 90-year-old lady by the Witch of the Waste. She has no choice but has to leave her home. This complicated curse not only turns Sophie’s appearance into an old lady but also changes Sophie’s appearance with her attitude. When Sophie has positive attitude to face the difficulties or is brave to show her love towards Howl, her appearance will return to her original looks. Instead, when she feels sad or depressed, she becomes an old lady again.

Another main character is Howl. Howl is a gentle and soft man; no matter what kind of situations he meets, he always keeps his cultured manner. For example, when Calcifer is going to die out, he is calm to light Calcifer again. But do you know that Calcifer is actually Howl’s hearts, if Calcifer dies out, it also means that Howl will die. How incredible! Nevertheless, Howl cares about his appearance very much. He can’t accept old fashion or ugly appearance. When Sophie cleans his house and disturbs his magic things, his hair becomes black. He is so depressed and unacceptable, and Sophie spends a lot of efforts to let Howl perk up again.

Howl is powerful and strong, refusing to receive the summons from the king to fight for the country. In fact, Howl hates wars and he admits that he is timid. He is afraid of the Witch of the Waste, and I think the Witch of the Waste represents age and time. Both of age and time are the main elements that Howl fears to lose. In another aspect, Howl also loves freedom, doesn’t like to be restricted to the traditions. That’s the reason why his castle keeps moving around the countryside. What’s more, Howl has different names in different countries. I think it also reflects that he yearns for freedom.

Actually, Howl’s Moving Castle represents Howl’s heart. Therefore, when Sophie enters this moving castle, it also means that Sophie gets into Howl’s heart. Howl’s castle is in a terrible mess, it stands that Howl’s heart is complicated and immature. Just as Vinia said, Howl’s bedroom is full of all kinds of toys, and those toys means that Howl is a retrospective person.

I love the scene when Howl takes Sophie to his log cabin. The garden is very beautiful and pure. At that time, Howl shows his true feelings and love towards Sophie. However, Sophie doesn’t have the confidence to believe that Howl also loves her. Therefore, the negative attitude lets Sophie become an old lady again. We all know that Sophie loves Howl pretty much, even pretending to be Howl’s mother to help Howl decline the summons in front of king, but she still can’t accept Howl’s love at that time. In short, she lacks confidence in herself.

When people are in a predicament, people always hope that men can maintain their noble bearing and women still has young and good looks. However, Sophie becomes an old lady; Howl abandons himself to despair, and those are the situations people unwilling to accept. After Sophie throws away the conventions and dares to chase after her truly desires and feelings, she helps not only Howl regain his hearts but also herself to break the curse on her.

Through Sophie’s adventure, I think this story encourages that everyone should chase after their true love and dreams. No matter how old you are, you still have the chance to achieve your goals; no matter how difficult of the problems, you can solve all of them absolutely if you have the confidence and courage.

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