# The Death of the Hired Man explained — North of Boston

> Chapter companion for North of Boston by Robert Frost.

## What happens

Mary waits for Warren to tell him that Silas, their former hired man, has returned. Warren is reluctant to take him back, recalling past grievances. Mary persuades him to be kind, revealing that Silas is broken and has come home to die. Warren goes to see him and returns to confirm Silas has died.

## Themes in this chapter

### Home and Belonging

The central debate between Mary and Warren defines home as a place of unconditional acceptance versus a place one must deserve, culminating in Silas's return to die.

### Death and Mortality

Silas's physical decline and eventual death underscore the fragility of life and the dignity of dying in a place of belonging.

### Work and Labor

Silas's identity is tied to his work, especially haying, and his inability to work anymore signals his approaching end.

## Character check-ins

### Mary

Mary is the compassionate wife who urges Warren to be kind to Silas, recognizing his need for a home in his final moments.

### Warren

Warren is initially resistant to taking Silas back, but eventually goes to check on him and confirms his death.

### Silas

Silas is the old hired man who returns to the farm, exhausted and near death, seeking a place to belong.

### Harold Wilson

Harold is a young college boy who worked with Silas in the past; Silas reminisces about their disagreements and his desire to teach him haying.

## Key lines

> Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in.

Home is a place of unconditional refuge, where you are accepted even when you have nowhere else to go.

_Mary defines home as a moral obligation of shelter, contrasting with Warren's view of home as something earned._

> I should have called it Something you somehow haven't to deserve.

I would have said home is something you don't have to earn or merit.

_Warren offers an alternative definition, suggesting home is a place of inherent belonging rather than reward._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_of_boston_se/chapters/the-death-of-the-hired-man
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_of_boston_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_of_boston_se/chapters