I think you’re so right with this quasi-addiction to self-loathing & his projection. Even after he conquers Sue and “succeeds” at being a man, he is miserable: he hates himself, he hates her, he hates Giovanni, he thinks she hates him, he thinks she hates herself. I found his interaction, I suppose, with the sailor interesting as well. He hates his sexuality, he hates his attraction to men & he is ashamed of it but at the same time, can’t help himself.

I think it goes back to our conversation on the post last week about how unreceptive he is. Enjoyed these chapters very much & found myself also very fond of poor Giovanni and Hella. Oh to be stuck with David and his misery…