Newman shares the prejudices of his neighbor Fred, who is determined to deal with the "new element" in their neighborhood, particularly a Jewish candy store owner called Finkelstein.

As antisemitism mounts throughout the city, a Christian Front-type group organizes to turn general ill will into action, Newman marries a girl called Gertrude.

Newman's principles and character mean that he would prefer to stand aside while the persecution of Finkelstein continues – his own latent antisemitism tacitly endorses it, while his reticence makes it hard for him to participate.

An attempt by Newman to convince Fred and his collaborators of his allegiance to their cause by attending an antisemitic rally results only in his being again taken for a Jew, attacked and ejected.

he stops trying to play along with bigotry and angrily repeats his account of the attack, leading the police to take down his statement and for Newman to move into a new chapter in his life.