Castle in the Sky

This is the second time that I have seen Castle in the Sky. It felt pretty different seeing it this time than when I saw it last April. I feel like seeing all these Miyazaki movies in a row is honing in, for me, what Miyazaki is getting at and the modes of representation that he uses to express himself. In most of his films there is like a special person who has the power and the drive to complete their mission. Everyone is blinded by some sort of fear: greed, hate, etc. In this film Pazu strikes me as the special person. He doesn't even have the magical powers and he is the special person. What he wants is done.
For instance, he has a greater desire to go to Laputa than Sheeta does. He has no other motive (particularly no fear motive) than just to see it and see if his father was right (that it exists). It is also the case with Ashitaka, Nausicaa, Jehiro, Kiki, Lupin, and probably more that their main motives are never out of fear but to do what they believe is right or to realize their true potential as individuals or to save a wider group of people. All non-selfish reasons. I think that Miyazaki is asking us to identify with these individuals who represent the opposite of fear (love) and to see that in ourselves. Because so many of his movies take place on a larger scale of consideration for a wider group of people that the main characters, maybe Miyazaki is trying to say that we have the ability to help people. It only takes one person to have the determination and the relentless energy to get these big missions accomplished. That determination inspires more (i.e. Gandhi in real life). These people are leaders and unifiers. Pazu brings people together and ultimately has the final plan to save the world from Muska and Muska from his own fear.
I think Miyazaki feels that kind of leader ship in himself and is constantly projecting that into his characters. That is what I gathered most from the film.
On a quieter note, I also find it quite interesting the different cultures that Miyazaki draws from to create these new worlds. The Castle in the Sky characters seem really English, especially Muska with his blond hair and frilly collar-piece. Also, that Sheeta lived in the countryside tending a farm. And then to hear in class that it was modeled after a Wales mining town. It all makes sense. Even though it doesn't really do anything to the message of the story, it's still an interesting thing to note.