Lawrence was an early 20th century controversial English writer. His works include; essays, novels, short stories, poems, plays, literary criticism and paintings. He believed that industrialization had dehumanized society. Emotional health and sexuality were common themes in his works. Aaron is a union official in the coal mines of England. He leaves his family to travel to Italy where he hopes to become a professional flautist. Aaron's adventures end when an anarchist blows up his flute. Many of the incidents in this novel parallel incidents in Lawrence's life.