亦真亦偽

It's really Miyazaki tradition, in Jones's writing, Howl never really fly with Sophie.
There is really no war, other than the one between Howl and the Witch.
Of course I like Miyazaki's way better. And you're not supposed to truly understand it.

Howl was under this spell.

Go and catch a falling star,
Get with child a mandrake root,
Tell me were all past years are,
Or who cleft the Devil's foot.
Teach me to hear the mermaids singing,
Or to keep off envy's stinging,
And find,
What wind
Serves to advance an honest mind