The analyses of a text #2

The protagonist, Philip moved in with his uncle Mr. Carey, the Vicar of Blackstable after his mother's death.
The protagonist, Philip, came to Paris to become a painter.
After two years, he came to Blackstable for his aunt's sudden death.
He have thought of stop painting.
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He had thought much of what Foinet said to him, but he was still so undecided that he did not wish to speak of the future. There would be something fine in giving up art because he was convinced that he could not excel; but unfortunately it would seem so only to himself: to others it would be an admission of defeat, and he did not want to confess that he was beaten. He was an obstinate fellow, and the suspicion that his talent did not lie in one direction made him inclined to force circumstances and aim notwithstanding precisely in that direction.
[Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham]
1. I'd like to know why it is "There would be something fine in giving up," not "it would be fine giving up."
2. I'd like to know what "force circumstances" means.
3. And I'd like to why it is "aim in that direction," not "aim at that direction."
Thank you in advance for your help.