或译《谷仓一角》,以传统清教徒的价值观念对现代社会的经济贫富差距问题进行了置疑。
故事取材于Frank Norris的两部小说,故事也同时在三个地点平行进行,乡下麦田穷苦农民的生活,面包店的生意,和股票经纪人的办公室,而且三个故事线里的人物和情节完全没有交叠。通过对穷人和富人的平行剪辑,不仅能看到后来格里菲斯名作品《党同伐异》的影子,也能看到对蒙太奇技术的启发。
Later on, the heroine falls in love with a handsome attorney named Gambier (James Kirkwood), only to
Mrs. Kendrick borrows a jeweled necklace from a friend for an important social event. The necklace is stolen, and Mr. Kendrick goes into debt to replace it. The thief discovers it's costume jewelry, but the Kendricks never learns the truth; Husband and wife struggle for years to pay off the huge debt.
Laura Nesbit, daughter of old Dr. Nesbit and belle of the younger social set in the town of Harvey, plans to marry Grant Adams, the editor of the local paper, until she flirts with rising but unethical lawyer Tom VanDorn to arouse her beau's jealousy. A saddened Grant is drawn into an affair with town siren Margaret Muller, with whom he has an illegitimate son. On the rebound, Laura marries VanDorn and Margaret weds attorney Henry Fenn. History repeats itself when Laura's husband becomes infatuated with Margaret, which breaks up both marriages. Meanwhile, Grant has given up his newspaper to become a foreman in the mines. After he is injured in an explosion, Grant is taken to the Nesbit home, where Laura's care restores his health. When Grant's little son is shot and killed during a strike, he becomes so overwrought with grief that he confesses the boy's parentage to Laura, who forgives his past and they begin a new life together.
A savvy city girl is hired to sugar an earnest farm boy into a business deal, but loses her heart.
Fanny is the wife of Ben Webster, a trapper, and while he is an affectionate and dutiful husband, she yearns for something which appears better than her lot. She reasons: "Have I not youth and beauty and attainments far above this environment? Why should I be compelled to toil and struggle in this wilderness?"
Rising Moon loves Little Bear, but her father prefers Standing Rock, a richer suitor. Standing Rock takes her to his teepee under guard, but she escapes and joins Little Bear as they attempt to escape.