Could you tell me the reason to have the simple present in these sentences?

Thinking SpainCould you tell me the reason to have the simple present in these sentences and not the present progresive?

There is not really enough context to say which form is more appropriate.

I would say, "What does he look at?" or, "Where does he look at?"

Hi fivejedjon,
Thank you for your reply.
This is the context:
He does not move or look at us. He sits very quietly on the chair in the cold, dark, dirty room, and looks at the table.

TS

Thinking SpainHe does not move or look at us. He sits very quietly on the chair in the cold, dark, dirty room, and looks at the table.

Sorry, TS; that's still not enough context. Is this from a novel, or is someone talking about something they are seeing at the moment of speaking?

fivejedjonIs this from a novel?

Hi fivejedjon,
No problem. Yes it is from a novel.

TS

In that case, the present simple is fine as a narrative device.

fivejedjonIn that case, the present simple is fine as a narrative device.

Hi fivejedjon,
Thank you for your reply.
Then I should tell my students that because it is a narrative technique, such questions are completely fine. But if they have always read among others, that one of the uses of the simple present is to ex

I think you ate over-complicating matters, TS. Do you not use a present tense in your language to describe past event at times? Many Indo-European languages do.

If you have learners at an elementary level who are grappling with the problems of the differences between the present simple and progressive, you might think about not intruducing this usage at this stage.

fivejedjonIf you have learners at an elementary level who are grappling with the problems ... you might think about not introducing this usage at this stage.

Hi fivejedjon,
Thank you for your reply. This one is for intermediate students though.

TS