The title refers to a list of rules posted in the dormitory of a cider orchard where Homer eventually goes to live. These rules are significant because:
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 The Cider House Rules
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 title refers to a list of rules
The book explores the burden of having a choice and the tragedy of having none. Wilbur Larch is a man of dualities
Irving refuses to provide easy answers, forcing characters to break their own rules to do what is "right." Legacy and Adaptation
The rules were written by people who don't live in the cider house.