To me, it sounds like someone in a street gang, possibly a leader or well-respected man. "Misery's merchants" is a term for the gang members, maybe even the name of his specific gang. "Dogs fleeing in the dark of his path" sounds like members of other gangs fear him. However "He wishes to be something he is not" makes it clear he doesn't enjoy his life. The gang he's currently in is trying to instill their ideology in him. However, only when he blocks out their words does he free himself - and in it, realizes they have wronged him. In the end, he fights back, and makes them fear him the way all his other adversaries have.
To me, it sounds like someone in a street gang, possibly a leader or well-respected man. "Misery's merchants" is a term for the gang members, maybe even the name of his specific gang. "Dogs fleeing in the dark of his path" sounds like members of other gangs fear him. However "He wishes to be something he is not" makes it clear he doesn't enjoy his life. The gang he's currently in is trying to instill their ideology in him. However, only when he blocks out their words does he free himself - and in it, realizes they have wronged him. In the end, he fights back, and makes them fear him the way all his other adversaries have.