In Praise Of Limestone is a notable literary work by W. H. Auden. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts,
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Key info
Key Facts
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- 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: Modernist Poetry / Philosophical Landscape Poem
- Tone: Reflective, ironic, affectionate, and philosophical
- Point of View: First-person poetic narrator (occasionally shifting to “we”)
- Total Parts: One continuous section (no formal divisions)
- Time Setting: Post–World War II period (late 1940s)
- Place Setting: Mediterranean limestone landscape — inspired by the hills of southern Italy (near Naples or Amalfi)