Butterflies symbolize hope to Lady Lily Claybourne. They also symbolize transformation from one stage of life to another - a more beautiful one. The White Butterfly is a fast-paced romantic novel set in Post-World War I, England. It is the story of one woman's struggle to find herself and to become self-fulfilled in a society that rarely recognizes women as equal to men. Lily Barton Claybourne has a deep-seated need to be the best she can be in life. Her compassion and ability to forgive are strong components of her personality. But, the aristocracy isn't interested in her dreams of a better society. She has married into a family where the old, tried and true traditions are held on to very tightly. Lily thinks it is all foolishness. Her husband, the Earl of Gloucester, Kit Claybourne is a wonderful man, but he too is mired in the past traditions of his heritage. He was raised by an iron-fisted mother, who appears on the surface to be a sweet and charming woman, but who still makes the rules that are adhered to at Claybourne Court. Lily loves Kit, but it is very hard to live with him. In nearly every facet of their lives together there is a dichotomy. Over and over Lily is told that what she wants to do is not 'the done thing'. She feels she is nothing but an ornament on Kit's arm. After two very grave illnesses, Lily emerges as a different person. She is tired of being told that nothing she does is right. The primary concern in the Claybourne family is that nothing ever be done to mar the image of that great and ancient name. Yet, Lily discovers that there was one, significant mistake made in 1903, that has now returned to haunt them. With strength and determination, she makes the decision to let go of the ties that bind her to the aristocracy's strict rules and to follow her own path.