Guss, the young son of a divorced and remarried farmer, feels misunderstood by his family and at the religious boarding school he attends. He finds comfort in weekly visits from his mother, whom he sees again at the age of eleven, but she dies shortly afterwards. As an adult, Guss leaves the farm for the city to pursue a career in music. After many difficulties, he achieves some success. While visiting his father, he rediscovers the rift that separates him from his half-brothers.