the story centres on two characters, a man and a woman, both architects, who meet some time after wwii and get married. though deeply in love they come from different backgrounds, and do not share the same outlooks on life. soon she becomes fascinated with her husband's progressive socialist ideals. after the wedding she abandons her work to dedicate herself to raising their growing family, and he, feeling abandoned by her, begins an amorous relationship with one of his colleagues.