Howl's Moving Castle Archetypes

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Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is a captivating story that incorporates fantasy and fairy tale elements to capture the attention of readers. The novel features Sophie, a wonderful protagonist who is featured as a good person, but still has her flaws. Sophie’s major flaw is being nosey. Moreover, if she is told to go somewhere or ask specific questions, she cannot help herself, but she still does it anyway. These aspects extend to Jones, who is also a likable character but has distinct flaws. Character flaws are also evident in Calcifer’s grumpiness and Michael’s insecurity. But despite their flaws, the characters in the novel are likeable because they still have an opportunity to grow and transform their character without making …show more content…

The concept of an archetype is a crucial aspect of literature, as it facilitates understanding of the author’s intended message in a text. An archetype is defined as a universally understood symbol or term that describes behaviours through which others are copied, patterned, or emulated (FIU Libraries). In the context of literature, fairy tales have rich archetypal characters, motifs, and themes that resonate across different cultures and times in history. In “Howl’s Moving Castle,” Jones found her story on archetypes to create a fantastical world with a wide range of characters, including witches, wizards, and other magical creatures. These archetypal elements serve as the backbone of Jones’ narrative, providing the basis for understanding the tradition presented in the story. For instance, the archetype of witches and wizards is dominant in the story and most fairy tales. In Jones’ book, both Howl and the Witch of the Waste embody both benevolent and malevolent antagonistic archetypes, which are often portrayed in many fairy tales. Howl is an enigmatic and charismatic wizard who possesses immense magical

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