The Death of the Hired Man
Poetry
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Robert Frost
The Death of the Hired Man Full Poem
The Death of the Hired Man
By Robert Frost (1874-1963)
Mary sat musing on the lamp-flame at the table
Waiting for Warren. When she heard his step,
She ran on tip-toe down the darkened passage
To meet him in the doorway with the news
And put him on his guard. ‘Silas is back.’
She pushed him outward with her through the door
And shut it after her. ‘Be kind,’ she said.
She took the market...
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The Death of the Hired Man Key Facts
Key Facts
Full Title: The Death of the Hired Man
Author: Robert Frost (1874–1963)
Title of the Author: Poet of New England Life; Master of Rural Realism
Source: Appeared in Frost’s first major poetry collection, North of Boston (1914)
Written Time: 1905–1906 (composed during Frost’s years in New England and England)
First Published: 1914
Publisher: David Nutt (London)
Genre: Narra...
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Death of the Hired Man Summary
Background
Robert Frost’s poem “The Death of the Hired Man” was written in the early twentieth century, around 1905 to 1906, and first published in 1914 in his famous poetry collection North of Boston. During this period, Frost sought to portray a realistic picture of rural American life. The background of the poem is set in a small farming family in New England, where the struggles of labor, pov...
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The Death of the Hired Man Literary Device
Symbols
Silas: Silas symbolizes human weakness, loneliness, and self-respect. He is an ordinary man with no glory or hope in life, yet before death, he returns “home.” His return represents not just the search for shelter, but the revival of human connection and the quest for peace at the end of life.
Home: The word “Home” is the central symbol of the poem. It is not merely a place, but a sym...
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The Death of the Hired Man Quotations
Quotes
“Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” (Warren – Irony)
Explanation: Warren defines “home” as a place where you are accepted, even when you have nowhere else to go. The line shows irony — he says this to justify his sense of duty, yet earlier he didn’t want Silas back. It expresses the theme of belonging and forgiveness.
“I should have called it s...
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The Death of the Hired Man Theme
Themes
Humanity: The central message of the poem is humanity and compassion. Silas is an old, helpless, and forgotten man whom society no longer values. Yet Mary gives him shelter out of love and kindness. She knows that Silas is no longer useful, but still says, “He has come home to die,” because she believes that every human being deserves compassion at the end of life. Frost shows that the true...
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The Death of the Hired Man Character
Characters
Mary: Mary is the most compassionate character in the poem. She symbolizes humanity and kindness. She shows mercy and affection toward Silas, even though he once left them. Mary says, “He has come home to die.” a line that reveals her deep sympathy and understanding. To her, “Home” means a place where love and forgiveness are found, not judgment or rejection.
Warren: Warren, Mary’s...
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Notes
Explore 7 detailed notes related to The Death of the Hired Man. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.