OVERALL ANALYSIS

CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Homer Wells

The Cider House Rules details the life of Homer Wells from his birth (1920s) into his 30s. Throughout his life, the rule that Homer lives by is that he should be of use. As a youth, he is constantly of use at the orphanage, taking on greater and greater responsibilities. Finally, he is given the choice to have the ultimate responsibility, giving and taking life, as an obstetrician and an abortionist. This is the first choice that Homer has in his life. Up until this point, the isolation of St. Cloud's has afforded Homer very few choices. He had only one choice of companionship: Melony. He had only choice of occupation: a doctor. And he had only one choice as to the type of medicine he would practice: obstetrics. But, Homer realizes that he does have a choice in performing abortions. It is at this time that Homer's rule as to what is defined as being of use differs from Dr. Larch's view. Homer does not see the killing of human life as being of use. Homer chooses to not perform abortions and lives by this choice for over 15 years. During this time, Homer solidifies his own view that Larch's products of conception has a soul. As an orphan, it is the only thing he was given: his life. But, despite his strong convictions, Homer is tolerant of Larch's view. He finds.......

Dr. Larch

Dr. Larch's actions are driven by the rules he has in regards to abortion and orphans. The loveless marriage between Larch's parents; his first sexual encounter, which resulted in his contracting gonorrhea; and the deaths of two women in need of an abortion shape the rules that Larch creates for himself.

The first rule Larch adopts is a life of sexual abstinence. This rule allows him to take the position of doctor in the isolation..........

Melony

Melony is the character with the clearest sense of purpose. She is decisive in all circumstances and executes her decisions with a quickness no other character has. She is the foil to Homer and Candy. For instance, Melony determines early in her relationship with Homer that she wants an everlasting bond to exist between them. She makes..........

Candy Kendall (Worthington)

Candy is another of Irving's strong female figures. In some ways, Candy is very decisive, but in some circumstances, Candy lives by the wait and see rule. It is Candy who convinces Wally that they are not ready to have a child when she becomes pregnant the first time. A child didn't fit into their perfect plans, and Candy decides that...........

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