Essay on The Struggle for Acceptance in The Cider House...

The Struggle for Acceptance in The Cider House Rules In The Cider House Rules, John Irving brings the orphan Homer Wells to vivid life in a rather unusual way. Homer’s life and existence are part of a large symbolic link to the actual book itself. Homer’s life as an orphan struggling for acceptance and to â€Å"Be of Use† is shadowed by The Cider House Rules struggle for acceptance in the mass literary market and its need to purvey its views on abortion. After writing his first few books, Irving was left disappointed that although the literary critics embraced them, for the general masses his books fell on deaf ears. (Hill 250) Unfortunately it is the general case that the masses and the elite are not in†¦show more content†¦Rather than write a pamphlet destined for the racks of the local obstetrician’s office, he writes a something much more marketable. He attempts to write the â€Å"responsible soap opera†, a form of fiction that is arguably most sought after and hardest to attain. (Hill 251) Irving uses his typical sledgehammer technique of pounding home his message, while wrapping it in a beautiful story. The two are not fully integrated: His pro-legalized-abortion stance could survive independent of Homer and his life, and Homer did not need to replace Larch at the orphanage. However, without the assistance of the other thread in the book, each side does seem rather pale. Unless the abor tion issue directly affected ones self, there is no reason to go out and find information on it. As Irving recognized the synergistic value, it snowballed into what only Irving himself can adequately describe: â€Å"I honestly believe that this book is different from anything I’ve ever written. It is a book with a polemic.† Unfortunately, not all of The Cider House Rules is responsible. At times it waxes dramatic, at others, purely disgusting. I fear that some of Irving’s audience was lost when Larch’s first â€Å"love† came in with a uterus â€Å"with the composition and texture of Muenster Cheese,† or the image of the failedShow MoreRelatedThe Effective Use of Dramatic Devices in Millers The Crucible3571 Words   |  15 Pagesact two Miller begins by setting the scene and describes Proctor’s house. The room is described as ‘low, dark and rather long’; this immediately gives the impression of a threatening and unwelcoming place. It also mentions how the ‘room is empty’; this could signify loneliness and the lack of affection within the marriage. The word ‘halts’ is used to show an image of a shocked John as he hears his wife singing, when he enters the house with a gun implying danger. Miller could have decided to includeR ead MoreLiterary Criticism : The Free Encyclopedia 7351 Words   |  30 PagesBless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya (1972) The World According to Garp, by John Irving (1978) The Discovery of Slowness, by Sten Nadolny (1983) Bright Lights, Big City, by Jay McInerney (1984)[36] Ender s Game, by Orson Scott Card (1985)[34] The Cider House Rules, by John Irving (1985) Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, by Jeanette Winterson (1985)[37] Norwegian Wood, by Haruki Murakami (1987)[38] A Prayer For Owen Meany, by John Irving (1989) Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry (1989) Sophie s World, by JosteinRead MoreMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 Pagesthe front of the book as Part I. I think your students will find these cases particularly interesting and even inspiring. The popular â€Å"Marketing Wars† is again included, this time as Part II, and it follows major competitors in their furious struggles. Two new parts have been added from older editions: Part III Comebacks, and Part VI Ethical Mistakes. In response to your feedback, the section on notable successes has been continued. Some cases are as recent as today’s headlines; several still