The Cider House Rules Info

Just as the "cider house rules" fail to govern the workers, Larch and Homer realize that societal laws often fail to address the complexities of real-world suffering. Key Themes

Dr. Wilbur Larch is a man of dualities. By day, he delivers babies for women who want them; by night, he performs "The Lord’s Work"—illegal abortions for women who don't. He views himself as a "saint of the unloved," providing a necessary mercy in a world governed by rigid, often cruel, laws. The Cider House Rules

The workers are illiterate or simply don't care what the rules say. Just as the "cider house rules" fail to

Irving refuses to provide easy answers, forcing characters to break their own rules to do what is "right." Legacy and Adaptation The Cider House Rules