The Death of the Hired Man : Characters

Characters

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 husband, is a realistic and stern man. He believes that Silas is unreliable and no longer useful, so he should not be taken back. However, by the end of the poem, he realizes the importance of compassion. When he finds Silas dead, his heart changes. Warren’s character reflects the conflict between practicality and humanity.
• Silas: Silas is the old hired laborer, poor, tired, and lonely. In the final moments of his life, he returns to Warren and Mary’s farmhouse because it is the only place where he ever felt human warmth. His return represents his search for a true “home” before death. He wishes to work again and prove his worth, but ultimately finds peace in death.
• Harold Wilson: Harold is a young college student who once worked on Warren’s farm. Silas often argued with him because Harold was educated, while Silas was skilled through real-life experience. Their relationship symbolizes the conflict between the wisdom of the old generation and the intellectual pride of the new.
• The Farmhouse: Although not a person, the farmhouse serves as a symbolic character in the poem. It represents “Home” — the place of love, kindness, and final rest. It is here that Silas returns before his death, finding the peace he had long sought.