Isa's 2nd Reaction

After reading the next 15 pages, my opinion on the main character has not really changed. I feel that his thoughts hold merit, but that he simply rambles way too much. Honestly, his constant opinion changes on his own qualities seem like a device used to keep the reader on his or her toes. To let the reader know that he is a hard man to understand, and that he truly does not understand himself. I'm still stuck on the question: Is this man "spiteful" or does he simply want to be seen that way? His fixation on pain indicates that though he seems "spiteful", it is really a front to protect his own insecurities. I think this character is incredibly uncomfortable with change, and thus holds on to the "comfort" of being morally wrong. He is scared of the unknown, which is why he even stated earlier that he wish he could die young at 40. That way he wouldn't know what was to come in old age.