- description
- # Return to closet theory and philosophical defense
## Overview
This is a segment from the short story [I and My Chimney](arke:01KG8AJ72QDX8N8STJ3550X2NW) by Herman Melville, comprising lines 1129-1146 of the source text file [i_and_my_chimney.txt](arke:01KG89J1H4TA19251AXAPE3ZWC). It is categorized as a "segment" and is labeled "Return to closet theory and philosophical defense." This segment was extracted on January 30, 2026.
## Context
The segment is part of the larger [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. It follows the segment [Shift in attack to unsightliness and room gain](arke:01KG8AJNY37Z6KXJ9ZG5531NWJ) and precedes [Narrator's isolation and companionship with the chimney](arke:01KG8AJQ4356HHN7X0VE6TGKA0) within the narrative flow of the story.
## Contents
In this segment, the narrator's wife returns to the idea of a secret closet within the chimney, prompting a philosophical defense from the narrator. He argues that even if a secret closet exists, it should remain secret, warning against the "profane bursting open of secret recesses." The narrator equates breaking into the chimney wall with breaking into his kinsman's breast, denouncing such a wish as the act of a "churchrobbing gossip and knave," comparing it to the actions of Momus, whom he calls a "vile eavesdropping varlet."
- description_generated_at
- 2026-01-30T20:47:58.499Z
- description_model
- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- Return to closet theory and philosophical defense
- end_line
- 1146
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:47:36.358Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 1129
- text
- But seeing that, despite all, I and my chimney still smoke our pipes,
my wife reoccupies the ground of the secret closet, enlarging upon what
wonders are there, and what a shame it is, not to seek it out and
explore it.
“Wife,” said I, upon one of these occasions, “why speak more of that
secret closet, when there before you hangs contrary testimony of a
master mason, elected by yourself to decide. Besides, even if there
were a secret closet, secret it should remain, and secret it shall.
Yes, wife, here for once I must say my say. Infinite sad mischief has
resulted from the profane bursting open of secret recesses. Though
standing in the heart of this house, though hitherto we have all
nestled about it, unsuspicious of aught hidden within, this chimney may
or may not have a secret closet. But if it have, it is my kinsman’s. To
break into that wall, would be to break into his breast. And that
wall-breaking wish of Momus I account the wish of a churchrobbing
gossip and knave. Yes, wife, a vile eavesdropping varlet was Momus.”
- title
- Return to closet theory and philosophical defense