John Jaykyll, professor at a small college in southern Appalachia, is having a mid-life crisis resulting from his conflict with the new college president, who hates his mountain origins, and dislikes Jaykyll because he is defending mountain literature and culture and the young professor in charge of this program who is accused by a crazy French professor of having an affair with his wife. His jealousy leads to seeking the murder of his neighbor, the young English professor. The French professor supports the malicious and crooked president of the college. Jaykyll undergoes treatment by a psychologist, who uncovers the source of the professor's problem in his fear of a loss of love from conflict with his lovers. Jaykyll enlists many supporters, uncovers the illegal dealings of President Malmuth, and defeats his enemy.