PLOT STRUCTURE ANALYSIS

The Cider House Rules has three major parts in which the action of the novel takes place. Part 1, in St. Cloud's, is the narrative frame that provides background details on Homer's childhood and the experiences that shape Dr. Larch's and the rules by which he acts. In part 2, Homer breaks from Dr. Larch and experiences the society that exists outside of the isolation of St. Clouds. In the last part, Homer, an adult in his 30s, comes full circle. Homer is able to decide that he can return to St. Cloud's and continue Dr. Larch's work.

Part 1

The first part of this novel paints a picture of Homer's childhood. Homer, having been adopted four times without success, is allowed to stay where he belongs, St. Cloud's. During this time, Homer has the run of St. Cloud's, and he spends his time being of use in any way he can. Eventually, his desire to be of use leads him to becoming Dr. Larch's protégé. Larch teaches Homer how to be an obstetrician and an abortionist. During this time, Homer and Larch develop a father-son bond. For Homer, Larch is the only father figure he has ever known. For Larch, Homer is the only person and the only thing that he loves.

Larch gave up on love early in life. After witnessing his parent's failed marriage and contracting gonorrhea from his first sexual encounter, Larch decides a life of sexual abstinence is what he wants to live. As a result, Larch isolates himself from others, preventing him from developing meaningful, intimate relationships with others, except for Homer.

The relationship between Homer and Larch is tested when Homer decides that he will not perform abortions. This is more than just a decision not to perform a medical procedure. This is a decision that is in conflict with Larch's fundamental beliefs. It is also a decision that confronts them on a daily basis. They see the results of unwanted pregnancies in every face at the orphanage. This conflict in beliefs sets the stage for Homer to leave St. Cloud's.

Part 2

Homer pulls away from Dr. Larch partly because he disagrees with him over the morality of performing abortions and partly because of a quick friendship with Candy Kendall and Wally Worthington. In this part of the novel, Homer becomes a part of the Worthington family. He learns of society outside of St. Cloud's. He experiences the ocean, movies, cars, and other normal activities. He also learns of tensions that exist between social classes and races. He indirectly experiences the results of war. He also experiences the uncertainties of love. Homer finds it hard to reconcile his growing love for Candy and his affection for Wally. When Wally joins the army, Candy and Homer allow themselves to love one another. When Wally's bomber is lost and he is presumed dead, Homer and Candy secretly conceive a child, Angel. They return to St. Cloud's for the pregnancy and live there until Wally is found alive and returns to Heart's Rock. It is during this short period, living with Candy and their baby at St. Cloud's, that Homer experiences true happiness. But that happiness is short lived. They must return to Heart's Rock and live a lie. Candy and Homer tell everyone Homer adopted Angel rather than acknowledge their relationship. Out of loyalty, Candy marries Wally. The three of them live together acting as parents for Angel. And Candy and Homer discretely continue their intimate relationship.

In the meantime, Larch is fabricating an identity for Homer in the hopes that Homer will one day return to St. Cloud's and replace him. Under the name Fuzzy Stone, Larch contrives college and medical records for Homer. He stalls the orphanage's board of trustees, waiting until Homer is ready to return. He continues corresponding with Homer, never allowing him to forget what happens at St. Clouds.

During this time, Melony has made a life for herself. She too has left the orphanage. For a while, she searches for Homer. But eventually she settles into a relationship with a woman, Lorna, and lives with her relatively happily until Lorna becomes pregnant. Melony is faithful to Lorna and gives up searching for Homer until Lorna betrays her.

Part 3

In the last chapter of the novel, three events take place that bring Homer full circle. First, Melony, after being betrayed by Lorna, finds Homer. She is appalled at the life of deceit Homer is living. Melony disparages him for not acknowledging Angel as his child. She tells Homer that instead of a hero, he is nothing but a creep. This encounter makes Homer decide that it is time to tell Wally and Angel the truth. Telling the truth means that, according to Candy, Homer will have to leave. The only place that Homer can think to go is back to St. Cloud's.

The second and third events are the death of Dr. Larch, resulting in Homer performing his first abortion. Mr. Rose, the boss of the picking crew, has impregnated his own daughter, Rose Rose. With Dr. Larch's death, Homer decides that he will perform her abortion. Homer realizes that if he cannot refuse Rose Rose, he cannot refuse any other woman. He fulfills Dr. Larch's dream and returns to St. Cloud's after he and Candy confess the truth to Angel and Wally.