The Cider House Rules quote?

Everywhere I looked - and I've spent almost 25 minutes looking (which, actually, IS a long time to look for an answer for a Y! question) - all I can turn up is that the quote comes directly from the book. It seems as though Mr. Irving came up with it himself. Below are two explanations of the quote. I know you didn't ask for that but, really, it was all I could find.

There were other people who had felt they had heard this before too though. I'll keep looking and maybe I can figure out why. Maybe it just sounds familiar because, for awhile, it over saturated the media and was parodied a lot.

"The author explains that Dr. Larch says this, not in any belief that that is what they are or ever will be. He knows that they are orphans, the abandoned, the poorest of the poor. Dr. Larch says what he does in the hope that they will exceed their present status and reach far beyond their circumstances."

"Each night, before he turns out the lights on his ward full of orphans, he recites the same little speech to them: "Good night, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England." The words are his way of declaring to them that no matter how worthless they may look to the rest of the world, they're royalty to him, and he says them with such cantankerous affection that we -- just like the little boys huddled under the covers -- sometimes can't help giggling a little at them."

Cider House Rules Quotes

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RE:

The Cider House Rules quote?

So. I just watched the movie; it has inspired me to hunt down the book. But first.. that quote, "Goodnight, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England".. was it originally by Irving in that book, or is it from somewhere else? I know I've heard that line so many times before.. I just wonder if...

This Site Might Help You.

RE:

The Cider House Rules quote?

So. I just watched the movie; it has inspired me to hunt down the book.

But first.. that quote, "Goodnight, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England".. was it originally by Irving in that book, or is it from somewhere else?

I know I've heard that line so many times...

Goodnight You Princes Of Maine