This is a story about a young mans journey into manhood and the discovery of his true calling in life. The story asserts the essential human right of each person to determine the course his or her life should take. But sometimes civilization gets in the way and lives dont unfold naturally. It is the backwoods nobility of big Dan Matthews, his gentle dignity, innocense, and powerful presence, as well as the love and admiration of a beautiful young woman, which ultimately sets things right in this wonderful story of the Ozarks.