Jack dies in a car accident.
In John Irving’s novel “The Cider House Rules,” Jack is a minor character who meets a tragic end. He is a friend of Homer Wells, the protagonist, who grows up in an orphanage run by Dr. Wilbur Larch. Jack and Homer become friends when Homer leaves the orphanage to work at an apple orchard. Unfortunately, Jack’s life is cut short when he is involved in a fatal car accident. This event is significant as it impacts Homer deeply, causing him to reflect on life and death, and it also serves as a catalyst for some of the decisions he makes later in the story. Jack’s death is one of many poignant moments in the novel that highlight the themes of loss, destiny, and the choices that define our lives.