The findings section shows that there are six magical events that mainly influence the development of the main character in the novel Howl’s Moving Castle. These magical events influence the development of the main character by applying the laws of magic which portray certain functions of fantasy. The magic laws that ultimately influence the development of the main character are limitation and consistency. In terms of functions of fantasy, the findings show that there is a function that dominates the main character’s development, which is recovery.
The existence of consistency and limitation indicate that the world presented in the novel has its own laws. Consistency works as the regulator of the fantasy world. It is made in order to maintain the element of reality in the secondary world (Nikolajeva, 1988; Wills, 2006). Through this sense of reality, the readers can actually relate themselves to the life of characters in the presented world. It is supported by the presence of limitation. The presence of limitation implies there will always be some weak
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The apparent limitation is seen through the object affected by the magic. In the novel Howl’s Moving Castle, the effect of the Witch’s spell has turned Sophie into a 90-year-old woman. With her old body, she hardly moves. Moreover, she can’t tell others about the spell. Nevertheless, this limitation becomes a trigger for her to work harder for her goals (Sanderson, 2009). Though she might find difficulties in breaking the spell, at the end of the story, it is her own power who can remove the Witch’s spell. The limitation of magic creates struggle and tension for the characters (Sanderson, 2009). It forces her to work beyond her capability. Therefore, the characters will be more careful and cleverer to take further action. It means the existence of limitation also takes an important part in shaping the character’s