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Passage2018, 6(2), 72-85

The of Howl’s Moving Castle: An Analysis of Development in a

Mia Annisa Utami, Isti Siti Saleha Gandana English Language and Literature Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia [email protected]

ABSTRACT The present study aims to examine the influence of magical events on the development of the major character in the novel Howl’s Moving Castle by . The present study uses qualitative approach, particularly descriptive qualitative method. The data were collected by critically selecting the words, phrases, and sentences that reflect events with magical happenings. In analyzing the data, this study employs Nikolajeva’s (1988) magic laws and Tolkien’s (1966) functions of fantasy. The analysis reveals that the magical events influence the development of the main character through the magic laws, which portray certain functions of fantasy. The magic law that dominantly appears in the novel is consistency (i.e., the idea that the secondary world has rules that must be obeyed). Meanwhile, in terms of functions of fantasy, recovery (i.e., recapture the fundamental vision of things) becomes the dominant function primarily shown. The findings of the present study also indicate that, in the fantasy genre, the development of the character is triggered by the elements of surprise and the element of wonder presented in the novel.

Keywords: character development, fantasy, magic, magical events

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Mia Annisa Utami The Magic of Howl’s Moving Castle: An Analysis of Character Development in a Fantasy Novel

INTRODUCTION helps to advance the whole story to Fantasy is one of the most popular be more interesting by building the literary genres. Chadbourn (2008) tension and struggles for the believes it is because fantasy fulfills characters. people’s desire to read for fun and to An example of fantasy escape from reality. Unlike science that shows a strong presence of fiction that tends to be more magic is the novel Howl’s Moving technological and consists of full of Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Set in big ideas, fantasy fiction is pretty the early 20th century where magic easy to read (Nicole, 2015). Since it is commonly used everywhere, the sets in a full of novel tells a story of a young girl mystical creatures, fantasy stories named Sophie who is turned into a give the readers new experiences that 90-year-old woman by the witch’s are unfeasible in the real world. curse. Her journey to break the curse Through its elements, has led her into a wizard Howl’s fantasy offers a chance to break out moving castle. During her journey, from the rational world we get. One Sophie experiences magical events of the fantastic elements that which force her to deal with magic. commonly appear in the fantasy In the end, her character develops on genre is the presence of magic. impact as she views things Bailey (2006) defines magic differently. as the use of extraordinary power to The major character in make possible something impossible. Howl’s Moving Castle experiences It means that magic can do things the change of state after she beyond human reasoning. It is the undergoes the event with magical key element which drives fantasy happenings. It then becomes a stories (Sammons, 2010; Saricks, turning point for her to go on a 2009). In fantasy stories, the magical adventure to complete a presence of magic usually appears in mission. Basically, the characters in the form of magical abilities, magical the fantasy genre always creatures, or magical phenomena. It interconnected with magical events

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in order to pursue their goals how it affected the development of (Nikolajeva, 2002). They start their major character. She disclosed that journey with the help of magic, fight the served as a place with magic, and, in the end, for the major characters to escape accomplish their ‘’ with and found their true selves. the aids of magic as well. The The present study also puts interest presence of magic in the novel helps to investigate the presence of magic to construct the story by creating in fantasy stories but focuses on the some challenges for the major development of the major character character. As she gets along with only. It attempts to find out how the magic, consequently, it will affect magical events influence the her traits. Over the course of the development of the major character. story, her characters may gradually develop as the result of the magical LITERATURE REVIEW events she confronts along the Novel and Elements of a Novel journey (Sefton, 2011). Novel can be defined as a prose With regard to the in a certain length and importance of the presence of magic complexity that tells an imaginative in fantasy, there are several studies story that connects a sequence of that have been conducted. For events which contain conflicts or example, a study by Watts (2006) problems to dramatize human analyzed how magic constructed the experience (Burgess, n.d.; Grambs, logic of the novel Harry Potter. This 1982, as cited in Napitupulu, 2010). study found that the logic of the Hawthorn (2001) states that there are novel Harry Potter was constructed the elements of a novel which are by making limitations on the magic. very useful in analyzing fiction: There was also a study conducted by narrative technique, , character, an Indonesian student, Hamzah structure, , , symbol and (2008). Her study was carried out to image, and speech and dialogue. investigate the function of fantasy Nevertheless, this study will only world for the major characters and elaborate the intrinsic elements that

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Mia Annisa Utami The Magic of Howl’s Moving Castle: An Analysis of Character Development in a Fantasy Novel

are related to the topic of the study. dialogue (Hawthorn, 2001)—are The elements are theme, plot, setting, connected to the characters. All these and character and . elements will then help the Theme is the core idea of a characters to develop along the story. story. It may be stated or implied. In a longer story, such as , the Based on Jones (1968) explanation, development of characters becomes theme is underlying ideas that are an essential matter. presented by the author. Plot is the Characters are not only movement of a story. To be precise, formed with the strengths that make it is an organized sequence of events them stands out but also the and actions that build up the story weaknesses and flaws (Sefton, (Hawthorn, 2001). Setting is the 2011). They are completed by the social or physical context where the background, belief, fears, hopes, that actions in the story occur (Hawthorn, make the characters looks even more 2001). Kennedy (1983) defines real, relatable, and sympathetic to character as an imagined person who readers. As the story goes by, the occupies the story. It is the person characters will be challenged to that is represented in a narrative confront many conflicts which are story which has particular qualities: usually related to their own intellectual, emotional, weaknesses. When the characters qualities that can be interfered from undergo some changes after they his or her actions or his or her way of encounter some conflicts that means speaking (Abrams, 1999). the characters have gradually developed (Sefton, 2011). Character Development Character is one of important aspects Fantasy in a story. According to Coles Fantasy is one of popular genres in (2010), in fiction, all the intrinsic novels. There are many ways in elements—narrative technique, plot, defining fantasy. According to character, structure, setting, theme, Encyclopedia Britannica, fantasy is a symbol and image, and speech and narrative genre which is imaginative

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and the story depends on the world in a new and refreshing strangeness of the setting and of the manner (Pu, 2012). By adding characters. While Gates, Steffel, and fantastic elements in the story, the Molson (2003) define fantasy as an readers are given a chance to refresh imaginative fiction that allows the their appreciation towards many readers to explore the mystery of life things. Fantasy stories help the without limited by place, time, or readers to see things without size. possessiveness rather it gives them experience to see things the way it Functions of Fantasy should be seen (Sammons, 2010). In an essay entitled On Stories, Out of the three functions, Tolkien (1966, as cited in Sammons, Tolkien (1966, as cited in Sammons, 2010) believes that there are three 2010) thinks that escape is the main main functions of fairy stories: function of fantasy stories. Fantasy recovery, escape, and consolation. helps the readers to escape from the Tolkien (1966, as cited in viciousness of world. Tolkien (1966, Sammons, 2010) describes recovery as cited in Pu, 2012) says that as “regaining a clear view of things” fantasy stories portray the human (p.165). It means that, by reading wills to escape from any hideous fantasy stories, the readers may find things into a more hospitable living a new vision in seeing every day to the human life. They find this things in . The of possibility of a better life in the recovery is important since it allows fantasy world. In addition, fantasy is the reader to see most fundamental not merely about escaping from the things in our primarily world afresh reality, but also a place to satisfy (Sammons, 2010). In the primary human’s desire. According to Lewis world, our familiarity towards things (1975, as cited in Sammons, 2010), makes us less appreciate and “loses a fantasy also deals with the sense of total participation in the fulfillment of wishes. Human has a natural world” (p. 1979) and fantasy big curiosity over many things but stories let their readers to see the the real world limits their ability to

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Mia Annisa Utami The Magic of Howl’s Moving Castle: An Analysis of Character Development in a Fantasy Novel

explore those things. Hence, they try also connected to magic. Magical to create a world that meets their event has a similar nature as the longing. event that is usually found in the The last function mentioned story. What makes it different is that by Tolkien is consolation. magical event is typically attached to Consolation has a deep connection the fantasy genre. Stableford (2009) with escape element. Based on defines magical event as the event Tolkien (1966, as cited in Sammons, that happens in the fantasy story 2010) explanation, fantasy stories invokes fantastic elements in it; often give consolation by filling the which result in the happening of a desires we have in order to escape peculiar effect. from the world’s misery. The most common consolation found in Magic Laws in Fantasy fantasy stories is the happy ending. Nikolajeva (1988) defines magic Tolkien calls this consolation as laws as rules applied in fantasy . Eucatastrophe means stories to build up an imaginary a “joyful overturning” (Stit, 2009, world. Fantasy authors have the para. 8) and surprising turn of events authority to create the laws within from a remorseful situation to the story and the whole elements of happiness (Pu, 2012; Stit, 2009). the story must obey them, including the readers. According to Grenby Magical Events (2008), through fantasy novels, the Magic has become an essential author tries to present an alternative element that attached to fantasy. It reality which is controlled and serves to advance the whole story structured by strict rules. becomes more interesting. The In the book The Magic Code: addition of magic into the story will The use of magical patterns in affect the unity of the story itself; fantasy for children, Nikolajeva including the event that happens in it. (1988) discusses the presence of Since magic is the key element of magic law in fantasy stories. After fantasy, the event that happens is studying many fantasy texts, she

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finds that there are two types of fantasy stories believable (Yolen, magic law commonly found in 1982, as cited in Nikolajeva, 1988). fantasy stories: limitation and By consistency, it means that the consistency. secondary world in the story should As the key element to be constructed rationally by making fantasy, magic cannot be limitless the laws and obeying them. and unrestrained. Nikolajeva (1988) explains the magic that is framed in METHODOLOGY the book should have limitations. By This study uses descriptive limitations, she means that the qualitative approach in order to find magic, or how the magic can be out the influence of the magical practiced, must be limited. Unlimited events to the development of the magic will only create chaos since major character in the novel Howl’s everything can absolutely happen Moving Castle. This method is (Watts, 2006). Moreover, she also chosen since the collected data will adds that unlimited magic removes be processed to derive meanings in the credibility of the story by the form of narrative rather than offering irrational events. numbers. Moreover, according to Another important point to Patton (2002, as cited in Suri, 2011), magic laws is consistency. descriptive qualitative approach aims Consistency related a lot to the to learn how people behave in secondary world presented in fantasy society, for instance how people stories. Nikolajeva (1988) and Wills think, behave, and feel at a certain (2006, as cited in Amelis, 2013) time. Hence, this method is emphasize that the secondary world appropriate to be applied in this should have a physical nature that is study as this study explores the comprehensible and logical in its development of the major characters own so that it is acceptable to the in the story. readers. Consistency helps to create The data were collected from the logic to the secondary world the novel by focusing on the magical which is important in order to make events happen to the major character,

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Mia Annisa Utami The Magic of Howl’s Moving Castle: An Analysis of Character Development in a Fantasy Novel

Sophie. The data were collected by FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS critically selecting the words, The analysis reveals that there are six phrases, and sentences which were magical events which mainly analyzed as textual evidence for influence the development of answering the research question. Sophie’s character: (1) The cursed In order to uncover how eldest of three, (2) The Witch of the magical events influence the major Waste’s curse, (3) Sophie’s entrance character development, the collected into Howl’s Moving Castle and her data were then analyzed and bargain with Howl’s fire , (4) interpreted through connecting the Sophie’s arrival in a strange country, magical events with Nikolajeva’s (5) The relocation of the moving (1988) magic laws and Tolkien’s castle’s house, and (6) Sophie’s (1966) functions of fantasy. The fights with the Witch of the Waste. selected magical events were These magical events influence the categorized into magic laws. This development of character Sophie approach operates as a tool to find through the laws of magic that out how the magic works in the portray certain function of fantasy. story. The next step was to determine The data analysis also reveals that the functions of fantasy. This the magic law that mainly influences framework operates to examine the the development of Sophie’s effect of the laws on Sophie’s character is consistency (i.e., the character. After the magic laws and logical construction of the secondary functions of fantasy were world by creating and obeying the determined, the impacts of these rules). Meanwhile, in terms of elements on the development of functions of fantasy, recovery (i.e., Sophie’s character can be seen. A regaining a refresh appreciation more detailed explanation about toward things) becomes the Sophie’s character development was dominant function that shapes presented subsequently. Sophie’s character development. The magical events that Sophie has gone through have made

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Sophie develops into a more positive According to Amelis (2013), the character. Although Sophie’s element of surprise means an physical appearance turned unexpected turning point of unattractive due to the witch’s curse, something that is initially it is precisely this physical change predictable. In the novel Howl’s that makes Sophie grow stronger. Moving Castle, the magic laws Her body may feel the aches and create struggles for Sophie’s goals. It pain of an old woman, but she finds can be seen from the change of state herself freer. Her old appearance that the major character experienced. turns out to liberate her from the self- Sophie who has been pampered with consciousness that troubles her a proper life and has an excellent before. When Sophie is in her young educational background faces an appearance, she feels inferior in her unexpected turn when she becomes helplessness. She has low self- the cursed eldest of three. Her esteem and is too resigned for surprising fate as the eldest of three, everything happens to her. However, who happened to be the unluckiest as she changes into a 90-year-old among her siblings, badly affects woman, she feels the authority Sophie’s personality. She changes within her. She can do the things that from an optimistic young girl into a her young form is unable to do. gloomy person. However, there is Furthermore, the magical journey also major difference found from makes her realize that her life is not those six magical events: how these as bad as she always thought. Thus, laws serve as the barrier. In one she becomes more appreciative of magical event, the law operates as her life and her own self. the rules of magic, in which the way From the analysis, the magic is possible to be used; finds some similarities in terms of meanwhile, in other magical events, magic laws found in each magical the law acts as the laws for magic: event. The dominant similarity is that the limitation on how the magic is the magic laws serve as the element allowed to be used (Watts, 2006). of surprise for the character.

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Mia Annisa Utami The Magic of Howl’s Moving Castle: An Analysis of Character Development in a Fantasy Novel

In terms of functions of toward many things. As she fantasy, there is also a major experiences various magical events, similarity found among the six she regains lots of new things that magical events. All of them serve as she might lose to see beforehand. the element of wonder. The element She finds herself braver and stronger. of wonder can be defined as the idea She even discovers a new world of seeing things that are beyond her land. More importantly, extraordinary in one’s point of view she recovers her hidden magical (Amelis, 2013). The functions of ability. Tolkien (1966) argues that fantasy allow the major character to the journey of recovery will give a look at things which are impossible certain way of looking at seeing to see in her usual condition. Tolkien everyday things in life. Through this (1966, as cited in Pu, 2012) believes recovery, she has chances to refresh that human has that kind of desire to her appreciation towards things in flee from any hideous things into a her life, especially toward her own more hospitable living. They are self (Pu, 2012). wondering whether there is a place to In a fantasy story, the presence of satisfy that desire for quality that both magic laws and functions of they do not have. Take an example, fantasy is essential, for they run as Sophie’s unfortunate has brought her parts of the magic system. This to get cursed by the Witch of the magic system works to construct a Waste. However, rather than being unity of the story (Nikolajeva, 1988; depressed over her old-look, her new Sanderson, 2009). Sanderson (2009) state, unexpectedly, gives her a further mentions, since character is chance to flee her dull life. It fulfills an essential element of the story, the Sophie’s longing to go on a journey construction of the characters also and find her fortunes which are are affected by this system. This unfeasible and cannot be done under magic system forces Sophie to work her ordinary condition. Moreover, harder for her goal. Moreover, the the element of wonder also helps struggles she confronts during her Sophie to recover a refreshing vision journey also require her to be

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cleverer to overcome her problems. the influence of magic on the As the element of surprise, their development of its ; from existence functions as a wall to the a lack of self-esteemed youth to a desire of the major character mature person who has more (Nikolajeva, 1988). It awfully hits confidence in herself. In other words, Sophie’s comfortable zone. As a as the protagonist, Sophie result, her personalities are also experiences a shift from an immature shaken. Her bravery to walk off from teenage girl who constantly blames her personal zone is the turning point life as unfair to a mature and wiser of her character development. The person. elements of wonder then bring her to discover things beyond her world. CONCLUSION This process of recovery leads her to From the analysis, it can be the point of maturity (Tolkien, 1966, concluded that the major character as cited in Pu, 2012). From this developed through six magical explanation, it can be seen that events: (1) The cursed eldest of Sophie’s character development is three, (2) The Witch of the Waste’s triggered by the element of surprise, curse, (3) Sophie’s entrance into as shown in the novel. Then, the Howl’s Moving Castle and her element of wonder assists as the bargain with Howl’s fire demon, (4) recovery agent that influences the Sophie’s arrival in a strange country, growth of the major character. (5) The relocation of the moving In addition, the whole castle’s house, and (6) Sophie’s findings indicate that magic in fights with the Witch of the Waste. fantasy stories serves as the Each magical event portrays certain surprising turns of something that is magic laws which then lead the unpredictable which operates as the major character to uncover particular elements of wonder that help the functions of fantasy. In terms of growth of the character. Regarding magic laws, the analysis shows that the issue of character development, consistency (i.e. the applied rules in the changes shown by Sophie signify the secondary world that must be

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Mia Annisa Utami The Magic of Howl’s Moving Castle: An Analysis of Character Development in a Fantasy Novel

obeyed) is the dominant law that wonder that become the trigger to the mainly influences the development major character development. In its of Sophie’s character. Meanwhile, process, the major character recovery (i.e. renewed view in seeing undergoes a progressive shift from things) becomes the function of an immature girl who thinks that life fantasy which affects her is so unfair to be a mature and wiser development the most. person. Since the magical events work as the transition from one REFERENCES magical condition to another that is Abrams, M. H. (1999). A glossary of literary terms (7th ed.). USA: experienced by the major character, Heinle & Heinle. it leads to the process of the major Amelis, G. C. (2013). Magic laws and the functions of fantasy character’s development. In the in a fantasy novel (Research beginning, Sophie suffers from low Paper). Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, self-confidence because of her Bandung. doomed life. As the magical events Bailey, M. D. (2006). The meaning of magic [Abstract]. Magic, go on, she transforms to be a braver Ritual, and , 1, 1- person and has more confidence in 23. DOI: 10.1353/mrw.0.0052. herself. She also turns out to be a Burgess, A. (n.d.). Literature: novel. wiser person. In this way, Sophie’s In Encyclopedia Britannica online. Retrieved from character has gradually developed to http://www.britannica.com/ar the betterment of herself after she t/novel Chadbourn, M. (2008). The fantastic undergoes some changes through the appeal of fantasy. The magical events she experienced. Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/c In addition, the result ulture/books/3672513/The- indicates that magic in fantasy stories fantastic-appeal-of- fantasy.html serves as parts of the magic system Coles, W. (2010). Essay—character that works to construct a unity of the in literary fictional story. Retrieved from story. In relation to the character http://www.storyinliteraryfict development, it works as the element ion.com/essays-on- writing/character-in-literary- of surprise and the element of fictional-story/

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