Why was Warren unwilling to hire Silas anymore?

Answer

 Why was Warren unwilling to hire Silas anymore?

Robert Frost’s (1874-1963) poem “The Death of the Hired Man” was first published in his 1914 collection “North of Boston.” The poem details a tense conversation between a farmer, Warren, and his wife, Mary. They are discussing whether they should allow their old worker, Silas, to return to the farm after breaking his promise earlier. Mary feels pity, but Warren hesitates to help Silas.

Silas’s Unreliability: Warren is initially unwilling to hire Silas again because of Silas’s past behavior. Silas left the couple during the busy haying season when they needed him the most. This caused Warren to feel frustrated and betrayed. Warren says,

I told him so last haying, didn’t I?

If he left then, I said, that ended it.

Warren’s Sense of Justice: Warren’s perspective is shaped by his sense of justice. He believes that if Silas couldn’t be relied upon before, there’s no reason to trust him now. This practical, almost business-like view makes Warren hesitant to give Silas another chance. Warren is only focused on what’s best for the farm.

Practical Concerns: Warren’s reluctance also stems from practical concerns. He views Silas as too old and weak. Silas cannot help much now, especially given how little Silas has contributed in recent times. Warren expresses this when he says,

What good is he? Who else will harbor him

At his age for the little he can do?

Ultimately, Warren’s beliefs result in Silas’s death; Warren refuses to allow Silas in until it is too late. The poem suggests Warren should have shown mercy and compassion, which Mary shows to Silas, and tit-for-tat “justice” is not truly just.