Giovanni is an illiterate Sicilian who moves to Turin in 1958 to join his brother, who is already in school there. Giovanni is devoted to the younger Pietro, making many sacrifices so that Pietro can have the advantages of an education. However, Pietro is not doing as well in school as his brother thinks. As the years go by, Giovanni acquires some business acumen, and sublets slums to other Southern immigrants. As Italy goes through the 'economic miracle' of the early 1960s, Giovanni's slide into corruption and exploitation mirrors that of his country.