[1] The film can be ascribed to the strand of sentimental melodramas, commonly called tearjerkers (later renamed by critics as appendix neorealism), then very much in vogue among Italian audiences.

Because of the film's theme, adultery (then considered a crime against morality in Italy), it was heavily censored, with several scenes being cut.

[citation needed] An ambitious peasant woman agrees to marry a very rich but crude and elderly landowner.

The marriage is not happy and after a few years the husband reproaches the woman for not having given him a child as he threatens to disinherit her in case of his death.

A son is soon born from the illicit relationship and the husband, unaware of the affair, announces great celebrations.