In Praise Of Limestone : Summary
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, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of In Praise Of Limestone.
Summary
In Praise of Limestone is a philosophical poem. It elaborates on the intimate existence of human life with nature. It explores the transformation of a man with nature and vice versa.
The poem ‘In Praise of Limestone’ is an image of human growth and bond with the limestone panorama. Auden clearly presents human nature through the extreme climate of the world. Through imagery and metaphor, the poet relates the inconsistency of limestone to the inconsistency of man. Limestone dissolves in water because it does not have a malleable nature, similarly, history will forget people who are not malleable. The poet calls humans imperfect and distrustful of each other. The poet alludes to statues and sculptures of humble saints and warriors/kings, who had extraordinary life. He ends the poem with the note that man does not need to change his own place. Rather, people can adapt to the situation they are in.