The Cider House Rules

The book that I read was The Cider House Rules by John Irving. In the beginning of the book the story is told from the view of Dr. Larch, the founder and director of the St. Cloud’s orphanage.  Dr. Larch starts off by explaining the history behind St. Cloud’s Maine. St Cloud’s began as a logging camp and eventually transformed into a mill town.  The Ramses Paper Company would come every spring, cut down all the trees in the area, leaving the town covered in saw dust. Not only did the millers leave saw dust behind, but they also left deserted prostitutes carrying their unwanted babies. Early in Dr. Larch’s medical career he believed that an unwanted child should not be brought into the world and that women should have the right to a safe abortion.  Dr. Larch also introduces us to the main character of the book, Homer Wells. Homer was born at St. Cloud’s Orphanage and was adopted four times before becoming a permanent member at St. Cloud’s Orphanage. Even though Homer was not Dr. Larch’s son, Dr. Larch loved him like one and Homer loved Dr. Larch like a father. Throughout the years Dr. Larch teaches Homer his medical ways and views, but as Homer ages his views on Dr. Larch’s work changes.  Dr. Larch delivering babies was viewed as “The Lord’s work” and Dr. Larch giving woman abortions was viewed as “The Devil’s work.” Being an obstetrician and an abortionist was not the type of path Homer wanted to take. Homer strongly disagreed with Dr. Larch’s devil’s work and wanted nothing to do with it. In the beginning chapters Irving focuses on Dr. Larch and how his views are shaped, so we as readers understand why Dr. Larch does what he does. Homer on the other hand wants nothing to do with Dr. Larch’s practice and decides to leave in order to experience a world outside of the orphanage. When Candy Kendall and Wally Worthington arrive at St. Clouds Orphanage in order to receive an abortion by Dr. Larch, Homer finds his way to escape St. Clouds.  Homer soon realizes that the world outside of the orphanage is much different than he ever expected. Homer is given a job at the Worthington apple orchard. While working at the orchard he meets some interesting people. Mr. Rose, the boss of the picking crew, shows Homer the ropes of the business and is described as a man who makes his own rules. Rose Rose, Mr. Rose’s daughter is a shy, but strong women. During his time working at the orchard, Homer realizes the dark secrets of the crew. Mr. Rose sexually abuses his daughter Rose Rose and eventually gets her pregnant; this becomes the climax of the book.  Homer has been brought up around young women giving birth or having an abortion, but Homer has never been around a woman pregnant with an incest baby. The conflict between the views of both Dr. Larch and Homer about abortion soon ends after Homer performs his first abortion on Rose Rose. Homer has just received the news that Dr. Larch has passed away and after hearing the news he realizes that he cannot refuse to give Rose Rose the abortion. After the abortion Homer becomes willing to practice Dr. Larch’s work.  Homer then returns to the St. Cloud’s Orphanage and continues the work of Dr. Larch, both the Lord’s and the Devil’s work. Homer’s beliefs have shifted, he now believes that there are woman out there in need and they should have the right to choose for not only themselves, but for their children as well.