73 pages • 2 hours read
Howl’s Moving Castle
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Essay Topics
Discuss the repercussion of Howl’s contract with Calcifer. What does Howl gain through the contract? What does he lose?
What significance does physical appearance have in Howl’s Moving Castle? Choose three scenes and analyze them for how appearances and changes in appearance affect the characters relationships with each other.
How does Diana Wynne Jones use the real world and the world of Ingary together? In what ways does she juxtapose the different cultures, presence of magic, and accessibilities of each world?
How does Sophie’s opinion of Fanny as an exploiter influence her choices throughout the novel? How does her reconciliation with Fanny at the end of the novel contribute to Sophie returning to a young woman?
What connection do you see between age, appearance, and agency in Howl’s Moving Castle? Compare Sophie, Mrs. Pentstemmon, and the Witch of the Waste for how they use their age in different magical contexts.
Do you believe Sophie’s perception of being the eldest must necessarily result in failure? Do you think this belief is particular to Sophie or a common aspect of Ingary’s society?
What does the scarecrow symbolize in the novel? How does its actions coincide with Sophie’s character development?
Why do you think the Witch of the Waste wanted to become Queen of Ingary?
How does Howl’s true character compare to the rumors of his notoriety?
Why is cursing Sophie with old age the most effective curse for the Witch of the Waste to put on her? Why do you think she chose to do this instead of turning her into a turnip, a scarecrow, or destroying her altogether?
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