Hermine Straßmann-Witt

Axel and Bertha are a modern, emancipated artist couple in Paris. He is feminine and vain. She is financially independent, member of the women's association "Married's Women's right of ownership" and uses male nude models.

"The House of Pillory" - a place where the enemy women captured during wartime were imprisoned so that the people could exploit them as they wished.

John, a young man raised by his aunt, is in love with Anna, a servant girl who is going to have his baby. He is willing to marry her but his stern aunt wants him to marry a rich girl. To separate the lovers, she arranges for her nephew to be enrolled at a university in a distant town. She then has Anna sent away to live with Torgus the coffin maker and his mother where she will be secluded until the birth of the child. Torgus, a clumsy golem-esque sort of fellow, is immediately charmed by the beautiful girl and takes pity on her. Meanwhile, Anna anxiously awaits John's return.