Summary
In the soot-stained corridors of a burgeoning American metropolis, Anna, a paragon of proletarian virtue, navigates the treacherous waters of the retail trade while enduring the parasitic machinations of her stepmother, Mrs. Biddle. This domestic harridan, embodying a cynical pragmatism, urges Anna to abandon her moral scrupulousness for the gilded favors of the wealthy. The narrative is mirrored in the tragic trajectory of Lena Schmidt, a co-worker whose transactional relationship with the store manager collapses into a state of 'delicate' disgrace. When Lena’s clandestine life implodes, her misplaced vengefulness casts a shadow over Anna’s burgeoning romance with John Stevens, a salesman whose initial misconceptions regarding Anna’s purity nearly derail their union. Their eventual matrimony, initially a sanctuary of bliss, is slowly eroded by the corrosive nagging of Mrs. Biddle, driving John into the neon-lit arms of urban vice. As Anna’s domesticity curdles into isolation, she is lured toward a precipice of social ruin by a resentful Lena. The climax unfolds within a den of iniquity where Anna, trapped by the predatory 'Deacon,' faces the ultimate test of her character. Only the fortuitous intervention of Dr. Goode—a spectral figure from her past—and the harrowing illness of her neglected daughter, Nanny, can forge a path toward a hard-won reconciliation and the reclamation of her shattered household.
Synopsis
Anna, a young shop girl, is urged by her rather disreputable stepmother, Mrs. Biddle, not to be so particular, to liven up and get presents and favors from rich young fellows. Lena Schmidt, a co-worker at the store, "stands in" with the manager and lies to her mother about the jewels and dresses. Lena's affair is cut short when the proprietors find her telling the manager about her delicate condition. She believes Anna has told on her and threatens revenge for her discharge. Anna attracts the attention of John Stevens, a salesman, who believes her to be like Lena, but when he attempts advances after a dinner, he finds out his mistake. His respect is aroused and he begs Anna to marry him. For a while the young couple are happy, but Mrs. Biddle's nagging gradually gets on John's nerves and he begins to seek amusement outside of his home. Mrs. Biddle tells Anna she is a fool to stand for this treatment; John is having a good time, why doesn't she go out and enjoy herself. Lena, who still harbors a resentment against Anna, plays on the girl's loneliness when she learns from Mrs. Biddle of the conditions in Anna's home. After long miserable waiting for John's homecoming, Anna decides one night to stand it no longer and accepts Lena's invitation to a party. Arrived at Lena's apartment she is somewhat surprised at the people she meets there, and later in the night, when the men arrived to carouse and make free with the girls, she awakes to a full realization of the nature of the party she is attending. She tries to get away, to flee from the repellent advances of the "Deacon," one of the guests, but Lena tells her there is no escape. As the Deacon seizes Anna in his arms the door bursts open and Dr. Goode enters; he had been a sweetheart of Anna's before her marriage and had never ceased to care for her. He had learned of her presence at the party and had determined to ascertain the reason fro it and to save her if possible. Anna gladly goes with him from the place. At home John is watching over Nanny, the little neglected daughter of the unhappy couple. Nanny is ill and is crying for her mother. He is overjoyed when Dr. Goode leads Anna in. Explanations and reconciliation follow and over their baby's bed they plan for a new and better life.
