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The Death of a Hired Man
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Analysis
Robert Frost's poem “Death of the Hired Man” opens as Mary, a loving wife, awaits the arrival of her husband, Warren. In the first stanza, she eagerly and discreetly greets her husband so that she can share a piece of important information: Silas, their hired hand, has returned. Mary is careful to explain the circumstances of Silas’s return to her husband, expecting her husband to oppose the man’s return. She kindly removes the packages from her husband’s hands and brings him near her on the porch steps where they talk about Silas’s homecoming. Soon is when they find him dead.
Themes
Several themes are touched upon by Frost in this poem including family, power, justice, mercy, age, death, friendship, redemption, guilt and belonging. A major theme in the poem is that of the ‘home’ or homecoming.
The Author Robert Lee Frost
Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. His work was first started publishing in England before it could be published in America. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of the American speech.
Quick Facts
Former Occupation: Poet
Birth Date: March 26, 1874
Born In: San Francisco, California
Death Date: January 29, 1963
Died In: Boston, Massachusetts
Education: Lawrence High School,
Dartmouth College, Harvard
University
Summary of Robert Frosts Life
Born on March 26, 1874, Robert Frost spent his first 40 years as an unknown. He exploded on the scene after returning from England at the beginning of WWI. Winner of four Pulitzer Prizes and Frost became a poetic force and the unofficial poet of the United States. He died of complications from prostate surgery on January 29, 1963.
The Death of a Hired Man
By Robert Frost
Literary Devices
- Irony
- Imagery
IMAGERY
is used in the poem to describe how a small cloud that looks like it may hit the moon, which it does. This little cloud symbolizes Silas. Where as the moon would symbolize Warren and the "hitting" symbolizes if Warren will ever forgive and accept Silas.
IRONY
One of the irony's in the poem is the plot of the story. The plot takes place on a farm in New England. This is significant because this is where Robert Frost spent most of his life in the New England area.
Another example of irony is when Warren finally starts to accept Silas but when he finally does, they find out Silas is already dead.