Metaphor is a term that refers to a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that literally denotes one thing is used figuratively for something else, as a way of suggesting likeness or analogy between the two. eg ‘She's a pillar of the community’... a metaphor because she isn’t really a pillar eg ‘It's a jungle out there...’ where, I can’t see the jungle?

Metaphor is used by many film makers to influence their audience on another subject like in the movies 'District 9,' an apartheid allegory (with aliens), and 'Metropolis‘ a bleak take on class and class relations.

Director/screenplay Hayao Myazaki, Studio Ghibli From a book of the same name written by Diana Wynne Jones

A young girl named Sophie is turned into a 90 year- old woman by the Witch of the Waste. She takes refuge in the moving castle that is owned by Howl. Howl and Sophie embark on enchanting adventures together... As I watched I realised the whole film seems to be a metaphor for a love story

The castle represents Howl’s life, it has different faces and lots of baggage, it is heavy because of this, it moves around to keep hidden.... Like a man who presents false faces to the world and hides his real self

It was said Howl, who is very good looking, liked to suck the souls of young girls.... Metaphor for a player

He rescues her from the unwanted attention of soldiers and then whisks her off her feet and they walk on air the feeling of falling in love

A witch who Howl once pursued, he thought ‘she was beautiful but discovered that she wasn’t’... An old girlfriend who is a bitch but still wants his heart

Sophie is discovered by the witch who belittles her and her shop, and curses her to be turned into an old woman... The old girlfriend finds her and makes fun of the way she looks and her life leaving her feeling self conscious and ugly

A small boy who lives in the castle... Howl’s inner child

The fire and heart of the castle and the power that drives it. He lets her live in the castle.... She has power over his heart like no-one else because he loves her

Sophie is the only 1 to make it inside the castle and she finds a home and friends, ugly and old as she is..... She is in his heart he knows her and allows her to know him

The place is a mess but she puts it in order and cleans it out... She makes his life better- as with all women in men’s lives

Sophie starts to look younger like her real self as the film goes on... When she feels more secure she feels better about herself and her self opinion improves

The witch’s true age is revealed... Her true character shows through, not beautiful at all

Howl is summoned to report to the King’s castle to face Mme Suliman.... I think Howl is summoned to his parents, he tries to avoid them but goes with Sophie

Howl gives Sophie a ring that always leads her home to the castle..... A wedding ring?

Howl changes the castle making rooms for Sophie.... They move in together to a new home

The witch figures out that Calcifer is Howl’s heart and steals it for herself, she ‘just adores the hearts of young men’.... The old girlfriend and Howl have an affair.

The affair breaks their home and life apart as the castle splits in 2, staggers and crumbles...

Sophie and the dog end up alone in the depths... Depression and defeat result from the affair

When Sophie gently but firmly regains the heart and restores it to Howl they are reunited and the castle is rebuilt better than before, it can fly.... They love again and it’s better than ever

So Howl’s Moving Castle, the story of a girl cursed to become a 90 year old who takes up residence in a magician’s walking castle, is a metaphor for the ups and downs of an ordinary relationship

1.Handout for Language and Popular Culture (LING 057) University of Pennsylvania H. Schiffman, Instructor Pop Culture, School of Arts & Sciences - University of Pennsylvania Ellen Yu - Howl's Moving Castle Review and Analysis Ransom Riggs - February 11, University of Phoenix- online University