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
The rules were written by people who don't live in the cider house. By day, he delivers babies for women who
St. Cloud’s redefines family as a bond of shared history rather than blood.
🍎 This recurring phrase serves as Larch’s nightly blessing to the orphans. It is a reminder of their inherent dignity, regardless of their status as "unwanted" children.
Homer Wells grows up as Larch’s protégé. He is a skilled surgical assistant but possesses a different moral compass. He refuses to perform abortions, believing that a fetus has a soul from the start. This ideological rift forms the emotional spine of the story. The Symbolism of the Cider House