You might have said that his look was thoughtful until you realized that he was not a thoughtful man. It was the earnest and contained look of those who are a little hard of hearing or a little stupid.
The excerpt suggests that the protagonist's expression can be misleading. Initially, one might perceive his demeanor as reflective or contemplative, but a deeper understanding reveals that he lacks true thoughtfulness. This creates a contrast between appearance and reality, highlighting the superficial nature of first impressions.
Moreover, the description implies that the character's earnest look stems from a limitation in understanding, possibly due to intellectual shortcomings or difficulty in processing information. Thus, it raises questions about the authenticity of one's expressions and the complexity of human perception.
