리터러시와 민주시민 교육을 위한 『하울의 움직이는 성』 읽기

Reading Howl’s Moving Castle for Literacy and Democratic Citizenship Education

This study examines how the author utilizes and deconstructs the fairy tale tradition, discussing how the fairy tale genre has evolved into a new literary form capable of capturing the stories of our contemporary lives. Howl’s Moving Castle (1986) focuses on Sophie’s journey and growth, as she learns to accept herself as she is and rejects the notion of predetermined fate. Female characters, including the wicked Witch, are also portrayed as individuals possessing agency despite existing within a patriarchal system. Howl—another protagonist—rejects responsibility, thereby deconstructing the traditional values ​​imposed on male heroes by fairy tales, leaving the responsibility of leading the story to Sophie. Along with Howl, his moving castle, physically mobile, serves those in distress. Therefore, it can be said that Howl follows his heart and shares with Sophie the story of building a family and protecting those in need. The fairy tale tradition also has strict rules and conventions. However, when freed from its values ​​and clichés, it remains a vibrant and accessible genre capable of narrating contemporary stories.