It is the story of a family and a bygone era played out against a background of a Sweden stifled by a rigid class system and in the throes of a general strike. Poverty stricken young Henrik meets a beautiful girl, Anna who is adored by all, especially her father, the affectionate but ailing Johan Ackerblom. They fall in love despite the opposition of Henrik’s mother, Alma, and Anna’s mother, Karin, the real ruler of the family.