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For Melville it is the early moment in which he reveals the internal battle that bubbles within this rather ordinary businessman. It is equally important that the narrator nearly loses his temper and that he does not do so.

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Can you explain to me what is the exact meaning of the phrase "he does not do so in" the context. It seems to me that it confirms the preceding statement but it seems to be a little bit redundant (he does not do so = he does nearly loses his temper).

P.S. He nearly loses his temper. Does it mean that the narrator only rarely loses his temper?

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    It means the narrator nearly loses his temper, but he does not [actually] do so. (i.e. - it's important that he should come close to losing it, but he must alway retains an element of self-control).
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented May 21, 2016 at 12:59
  • "So" = "that", or "that thing", basically. You see so used that way a lot with do, like "Can you be here at nine tomorrow? If possible, please do so."
    – stangdon
    Commented May 21, 2016 at 13:05
  • OK. Thank you. And what about the word "nearly". Does it function in the sense of "rarely"? i am not sure…
    – bart-leby
    Commented May 21, 2016 at 13:08
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    Forget about rarely - it's nothing to do with nearly, which means almost.
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented May 21, 2016 at 13:09

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