This film is the third screen version of Maxim Gorki's novel of the same title. It tells the story of the worker's wife Nilovna who lives in a simple world where alcohol and brutality are the only diversions from the monotonous daily grind, and the people die young. Nilovna's husband is also not spared this fate. She herself tries to lead a better life with her son and his friends. They read clever books, sing forbidden songs and dream of a new, more just world. The mother lives only for this aim and for her son. And one day she goes to her death for him and his friends...