Feminism and what it means to people has changed greatly over the past century. Feminism is not just about males and females being equal there is much more to it. Feminism explores gender roles affecting both males and females, sexuality, and breaking the molds society has set for females. Feminism has an affect on literature, whether it be a lack of or inclusion of it. In Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones feminism is an apparent theme throughout the novel. Jones’ tale is one like no other. Her traditional feminist ideas and beliefs are not left out in the story. Critics say that Jones’ feminist ideas are not the same of today’s “modern feminists”. (Rudd 2) Although Howl’s Moving Castle may seem like a typical fairy tale, Jones makes …show more content…
Jones hints that Mrs. Pentstemmon, the sorceress, may be the most powerful person in the country. She may even be considered more influential than the King. After meeting her in preparation to meet with the King, Sophie “shook her head, “After Mrs. Pentstemmon,” she said, “the King of Ingary will seem just like an ordinary person.” ” (240) Mrs. Pentstemmon is no ordinary person, She is described her as, “the finest and most frightening lady Sophie had ever seen.” (229) Aside from being the grand sorceress who trained Howl and other great wizards, she doesn’t play that big of a role in the novel. She is only a minor character. The fact that she is only a minor character makes her more impressive. It really shows the thought Jones put in when making her female characters, from a feminist point of view, this is a great thing. She could have left the King being the most powerful one in the land but she intentionally chose not to. Instead she made a woman who worked hard to get where she is the most influential one in the …show more content…
Not only does she do this with of course does this with the females in the story but with the males as well. Howl being the main male character does not fit into the masculine male lead archetype. That is shown when he is summoned to by the King, instead of facing the King himself he sends Sophie, pretending to be his mother, to “blacken his name”. Just as Sophie says to the King “Only a coward would send his old mother along to plead for him.” (244). In this situation the roles are once again reversed. Sophie takes on the role of the protector while Howl hides behind her. Aside from being cowardly at times Howl can be seen as not masculine because of how much he cares for his looks. His obsession with looking beautiful and youthful can be seen as a traditionally more feminine quality. He spends hours in the bathroom everyday to get ready and that’s not something that is usually seen with male