This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Patrick (talk | contribs) at 01:54, 7 January 2003. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 01:54, 7 January 2003 by Patrick (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Rules is a novel by John Irving. It was made into a movie starring Tobey Maguire, Michael Caine, and Delroy Lindo. It deals with, among other things, abortion, adoption, race, and apples.
The title refers to the rules to be obeyed by apple-pickers living in the cider house. For years they have never even read, let alone observed the rules. When they are read out loud, their arbitrary and paternalistic nature offends the workers. They complain: “Somebody who don’t live here made them rules. Them rules ain’t for us. They think we’re dumb niggers so we need dumb rules”.