Silas's life was lived the wrong way. He earned money to buy tobacco, abandoned his friend when he was in need, and was disowned by his family members. His life was hard and when he tried to fix it, it was all too late. He tried to make things right with his old friend Warren and when Warren tried to go talk to him, he was dead. This symbolizes that Silas should have tried sooner rather than later, as he was already on his deathbed when he had any chance of making things right. If he had realized his life was shorter than expected, he might have tried to help more and live his life to the fullest. The tragedy also shows that Warren should not have argued with his wife Mary for so long. If Warren had gone to talk to Silas as soon as he got home, he would have seen the state he was in and could have discussed his past with him. Even if Silas hadn't been able to speak, he could have said a few last words to him before