A once-promising doctor begins a downward spiral, finding himself in opium dens, a carnival freak show, and drugs parties.

While working on a novel in his country home in Connecticut, married writer Tony Barrett develops romantic feelings for Manya Novak, the daughter of a neighboring farmer. Manya is unhappily engaged to Frederik Sobieski. After a snowstorm, Tony and Manya get trapped together in his house overnight. The next day, Manya's father insists that her wedding to Frederik take place in spite of Manya's misgivings. Drunkenness and jealousy result in tragedy at the wedding reception that night.

A woman and her children escape severe poverty and abuse. She successfully betters her family's condition while living with the secret that she killed her abusive husband in order to protect her children from him.

Narrates the story of a homeless shoeshine boy who lives under a bridge.