The story takes place in Boston in the aftermath of the American civil War-a time of political and social turmoil. Verena Tarrant a gifted young orator, has attracted the attention of Olive Chancellor (Redgrave), who wishes to nurture Verena as an inspirational force for the woman's movement. But ranged against her is Basil Ransom (Reeve), a handsome male chauvinist, who wants Verena as his wife. Against a backdrop of luminous New England landscapes, battle is joined, and for Olive the struggle will prove and odyssey that forces her to acknowledge both her true nature and her truw callings as an articulate champion of women's rights.