Hyde sheds new light on Lawrence's "leadership" views, linking them to patriarchal assumptions inherent in biblical typology. She utilizes manuscripts and sketches as well as his traditional works to show that a complex form of biblical symbolism affects both his form and content in unexpected ways. His symbols are often traceable to iconographic models with typological significance. includes pioneering treatments of the first , the 1923 version of , so different in part from the final novel as to form a separate creative effort. Hyde also offers provocative new readings of , "The Border Line," , and other works. The book is illustrated with artwork by Lawrence and with examples of the medieval and other iconography he knew.