Summary:
“The Death of the Hired Man” is a narrative poem by Robert Frost, first published in 1914. The poem revolves around a conversation between a husband (Warren) and wife (Mary) about their old farmhand, Silas, who has unexpectedly returned to their farm in poor health.
Silas was once a hired worker on Warren’s farm but was unreliable, leaving whenever he found better opportunities. Warren is frustrated and questions why Silas has come back now, while Mary, showing compassion, insists that Silas has returned to find peace and dignity in his final moments.
The poem explores themes of home, responsibility, forgiveness, and the definition of “home.” Mary believes that home is where “when you have to go there, they have to take you in,” while Warren sees home as something earned. In the end, Silas dies quietly in the barn before Warren can speak to him again.
The poem is written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), giving it a natural, conversational tone.
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| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | The Death of the Hired Man |
| Poet | Robert Frost |
| Year Published | 1914 |
| Main Themes | Home, Forgiveness, Responsibility, Mortality |
| Main Characters | Warren, Mary, Silas |
| Literary Device | Blank Verse (Unrhymed Iambic Pentameter) |
| Famous Line | “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” |