Don Michele, boss of a smuggling ring and partner of Maria’s father known as the little Madonna, tries to rape the girl when he discovers that her father has stolen a large sum of money to use as her dowry. The girl saves her father from suicide and proves him innocent of the murder of Don Michele.

Anna Zaccheo is a beautiful young woman from a working class Neapolitan family. Her main concern is to find herself a suitable husband. She meets a young sailor Andrea one day and gets engaged to him. But while she is waiting for Andrea to return from the navy she gets raped by her boss. Her life suddenly takes a downward spiral.