Idealistic young Barbara is the daughter of rich weapons manufacturer Andrew Undershaft. She rebels against her estranged father by joining the Salvation Army. Wooed by professor-turned-preacher Adolphus Cusins, Barbara eventually grows disillusioned with her causes and begins to see things from her father's perspective.
La historia se desarrolla entre mediados del siglo XIX y la Primera Guerra Mundial (1914-1918). A la escuela de Brookfield llega un joven y tímido profesor que dedica toda su vida a enseñar a varias generaciones de alumnos.
