Howl's back is heavily scarred from whippings he received in childhood. He was very close to his dad and loved him dearly, but his dad wanted him to be tough and impervious to pain, hence the beatings. That dichotomy is an indicator of Howl's personality, and his relative toughness in the face of pain has been a plot factor occasionally. He's not superhuman of course, but he's able to shrug off and ignore pain that most would find distracting.
People have forgotten this truth. But you mustn't forget it. You become responsible forever for what you have tamed.
Howl's Wiki
Howl's Wiki
