- description
- # Initial Description and Pre-eminence of the Chimney
## Overview
This is a segment from the short story [I and My Chimney](arke:01KG8AJ72QDX8N8STJ3550X2NW), extracted from the text file [i_and_my_chimney.txt](arke:01KG89J1H4TA19251AXAPE3ZWC). It is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The segment, titled "Initial Description and Pre-eminence of the Chimney," focuses on the narrator's detailed description of his chimney and its imposing size. It was extracted on January 30, 2026.
## Context
This segment appears in the latter part of the short story, following a section where the narrator's wife warns him about the chimney's deteriorating condition and the conflict arising from it. It is preceded by the segment [Introduction of Wife and Conflict](arke:01KG8AJK3778BFQXRZR0G8E6J4) and followed by [Contemplation and Defense of the Chimney](arke:01KG8AJKWEKRVFAANYTRBK2ZGW).
## Contents
The segment describes the chimney's substantial size, noting its twelve-foot square base in the cellar, covering 144 superficial feet. The narrator humorously suggests that the chimney's weight is so significant that Atlas, the mythological figure, was only able to bear his burden because he didn't have to carry the narrator's chimney. The narrator asserts the chimney's enduring presence, comparing it to the stones at Gilgal, set up by Joshua as a memorial.
- description_generated_at
- 2026-01-30T20:47:59.266Z
- description_model
- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- Initial Description and Pre-eminence of the Chimney
- end_line
- 247
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:47:36.358Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 237
- text
- Large as the chimney appears upon the roof, that is nothing to its
spaciousness below. At its base in the cellar, it is precisely twelve
feet square; and hence covers precisely one hundred and forty-four
superficial feet. What an appropriation of terra firma for a chimney,
and what a huge load for this earth! In fact, it was only because I and
my chimney formed no part of his ancient burden, that that stout
peddler, Atlas of old, was enabled to stand up so bravely under his
pack. The dimensions given may, perhaps, seem fabulous. But, like those
stones at Gilgal, which Joshua set up for a memorial of having passed
over Jordan, does not my chimney remain, even unto this day?
- title
- Initial Description and Pre-eminence of the Chimney