Hello, please be nice, this is my first post! Im glad to have found this site, but already a bit intimidated by the intellect level! Im looking for someone to clarify all the ideas and symbolism in Howl`s Moving castle.
I havent read the book, which is apparently richer, but I believe that Miyazaki adapted the movie (or rather used the framework of the bookas a means) to convey his own messages. Ive read a couple of other sites, but havent been satisfied with what people have deduced. Im convinced that everything in the movie is the way it is because it conveys his messages.
Welcome turquise. I moved your thread because The Review is solely for reviews of media and not for other types of discussion over the themes in film and books. I also moved it because Mundane Babble sees way more use than Review.
I agree with what you’ve said. I’ve heard that Miyazaki took the basic concept of the novel and totally made it his own. It feels very much like a Ghibli product even if it was based on an American novel.
Well, this is what I thought, in order of what I thought about this perplexing movie:
Is it a love story…no, there are too many other things that dont fit. Is it a comment on war against love...nope, not that either for ditto reasons. Yet, there are many many reviewers who see no further than these, and wonder why the movie doesnt come together. It`s a wonder that the film still appealed, and I can only guess that many people, apart from the spectacular animation, took what made sense to them and disrgarded the rest. The movie is difficult.
So I watched it again, and think the main theme of the story seems to be about family, the actions that create a family, unconditional love in this sense. Highlighting love thy neighbour(the Witch of the Waste), and that even the weakest individual can offer their love (the scarecrow who cant walk, talk and always ends up upside down). Most of the characters dialogue and actions make sense when you look at it this way. Sulimans castle which doesnt care for her people is contrasted against Howl`s through the war, which is ambiguous for most part of the movie. I tentatively suggest that Suliman is the frightening character of all, as she mixes personal vendetta with her offical status - and this seems to be made clear at the end (although am not sure…).
then i read some reviews…the following arent mine but im pondering them…
-that the main aim of Miyazaki was to show off the moving castle of Howl, hence everything starts and ends with the title. Though there are the themes of love, family, family life, unconditional love, these are just accessories to the castle. The war provides a setting which gives the castle reason to move, as well as to attract the characters which provide the fairytale/appeal side of the movie. Its been suggested that as war is used as a device to show the best of human nature in many stories, Miyazaki uses Suliman to comment on silliness of this lets end this silly war
-a separate idea that came up is that there is a central idea which has been disguised with accessories. However, if you can see what the idea is, you will understand why it has been hidden, and why studio Ghibli cannot reveal what it is (I`m totally perplexed with this one…)
Is the movie based on the book?
No. Miyazaki liked the idea of the castle and an aging Sophie. You canT complain that the movie doesnT do the book justice.
How does Sophie age?
Different theories, but the one thats convincing is every time she lets out her real soul she gets younger. She gets older as she masks them. Howl comments that her hair is star-coloured` at the end, which is lost in translation, but which links back with her in his childhood.
Why was the contract made?
Calcifer didnt want to die like the other demons`. Howl may have done it out of pity and/or lonliness. (Not out of want of power, as Suliman claims)
Howls character? He represents young males. He seeks freedom to be himself, but doesnt know what that means until he meets Sohpie (possibly symbolised by the waste land where he roams at first, changing to beautiful alps). Also shows boyishness.
Howl`s castle?
In the beginning it is a heavy lumbering thing, musty and cobwebbed inside. When Sophie comes along, she cleans the interior. Then Howl makes it even more homely when they shift house. When Calcifer is taken out, it loses all the outside junk, becomes lighter. Then at the very end, the castle is so light, it soars into the sky.
Howl`s castle is a representation of his heart/soul.
questions im still asking:
-why is Markel there?
-what does Howls bird from symbolise? -what does the war symbolise (no humans are to be seen where Howl goes)? -what do the invisible rubber men from Suliman and the witch of the waste symbolise? -what are the little demons that Suliman conjures up in her castle? -whatS the significance of the alps scenery?
Why is Markel there?
He is another representative of weak people that the castle seems to house-Howl runs from the powerful, Sophie hides from her emotions, The Witch of the Waste is a helpless old lady, as is Turniphead. Maybe something more to him.
The war, the alps, Howls bird figure and the rubber men are all part of the same symbolism. The pure and dark sides of the heart. The alps v the war show the two opposites of what a persons heart can become; love/enrichment or hate/emptiness. The rubber men and howl`S bird are personifications of those - this is what people who have totally lost their hearts become.
What are the little demons that Suliman conjures in the castle?
They dance around the Witch and Howl. I had this explained by a Japanese dude; they are fake copies of shooting stars (the kind that Calcifer was). They are singing Leave me alone, let me die, let me die, let me die and appeal to the star energy to die away. Happens to the Witch but not to Howl.
Apparently the ending which was so abrupt, is, because the story centres on Sophie. Once she gives Howl his heart back, it`s the end, from her point of view.
As for the theme, I change my opinion; maybe all it is, is an observation of the heart and different kinds of love/attraction - romance, family, self-love, unrequited - with magic doing its thing throughout, and beauty portrayed as the surface thing it is.
