As the protagonist of Howl’s Moving Castle, 18-year-old Sophie Hatter is the eldest of three daughters. She believes that by being the eldest she is consigned to an uneventful life without the opportunity to seek a fortune as her younger sisters Martha and Lettie will be able to do. Sophie is a quiet, dutiful apprentice in the hat shop, does not demand money from her stepmother Fanny, and lacks the self-confidence necessary to go outside and participate in the town’s festivities, such as May Day. When the Witch of the Waste curses Sophie by turning her into an old woman, Sophie immediately leaves her family and hometown of Market Chipping without an explanation. She continues to conceal her true identity from Howl, Michael, Calcifer, and the others she meets through them.

As an old woman, Sophie feels freer to speak her mind and do what she wants without fear of the judgement of others (83). She is no longer too afraid to venture into unknown places alone and takes upon herself the responsibility of breaking Calcifer’s contract with Howl. Sophie becomes adept at avoiding thinking about the things she does not feel confident enough to face.