In Praise Of Limestone
Poetry
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W. H. Auden
In Praise of Limestone Key Info
Key Facts
Writer: W. H. Auden (1907–1973)
Original Title: In Praise of Limestone
Source: First published in Horizon magazine (July 1948); later included in Collected Shorter Poems 1927–1957 (1958)
Written Time: 1947–1948 (composed while Auden was living near Naples, Italy)
Published Date: 1948
Form: Meditative lyric poem (philosophical and descriptive reflection)
Genre: Modernis...
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In Praise Of Limestone Summary
Background: W. H. Auden wrote “In Praise of Limestone” in 1947–48 while living in southern Italy. The limestone hills around Naples deeply moved him. The soft, changeable rocks reminded him that human life is fragile, beautiful, and imperfect. The poem reflects his thoughts after World War II. Auden wanted to show that true humanity lies in moderation, love, and acceptance, not in pride or extreme...
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In Praise of Limestone Theme
Themes
Human Nature and Imperfection: The poem shows that humans are soft and changeable like limestone. It praises weakness, emotion, and the need for love. Auden says being human means accepting faults, not denying them.
Balance between Body and Spirit: Auden values harmony between the physical and spiritual sides of life. The limestone land represents peace, warmth, and moderation. True happi...
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In Praise of Limestone Character
Characters: There are no fixed story-characters in this poem. The main voice is the speaker, who observes and reflects. The “we” in the poem stands for humankind, the ordinary, emotional people who love the earth. The “band of rivals” represents playful human competition and desire. The “saints,” “Caesars,” and “reckless ones” stand for people who seek perfection, power, or escape. The limestone l...
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In Praise of Limestone Literary Device
Figures of Speech:
Metaphor: Auden uses limestone as a metaphor for human nature. The land’s softness and changeability show how human life is gentle, emotional, and unstable. It also stands for balance between body and soul, love and reason.
Personification: The poet gives human feelings to the landscape. Springs “chuckle,” caves “hide secrets,” and the limestone land seems alive. Nature acts lik...
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