Aaron Sisson, a Lancashire coal miner, is also a flutist. In search of a more fulfilling life, he leaves his wife to become an itinerant musician, traveling through Europe. During a visit to Italy, he unwittingly becomes involved in a political uprising, and his flute is broken when a bomb goes off, ending his experiment in freedom. Lawrence`s 1821 novel contained many parallels to his own life, particularly his coal-country background and his extensive travels. It is also heavily symbolic: in the Bible, Aaron--brother of Moses--was a priest whose blossoming rod was a symbol from Jehovah of his authority.