Plot Summary: In 1870s American high society, it was immoral for a young woman to get a divorce. Countess Ellen, who has fled from Europe and returned to New York, is a "bad influence" on her husband, even though he is a womanizer all the time. Ellen's cousin May is ready to get engaged to Newland Archer, a lawyer, and at the ball after Ellen's return Archer publicly announces the engagement and, as a rule, tells May's cousin Ellen in advance. In fact, as a youth, Newland had already had a crush on Ellen, once secretly "kissing" her. After years of meeting again, his heart fluctuates. Newland in order to restrain their own feelings, to May proposed, demure and quiet May inner delicate, has long been aware of the fiancé's emotional differences, told Archer if he loves other women, do not have to marry her, the pursuit of his own happiness. However Alan refuses Archer's request out of love for him. Ellen said she would stay in the United States as long as Archer did not ask her to do anything "out of the ordinary".

The two were married. Newland soon realized that he was losing himself in the bondage of marriage, and felt that he was being buried alive by his unfortunate marriage, and came to the realization that the person he really loved was Ellen. Unable to lie to himself any longer, Newland finally pours out his love to Alan, who is also suffering, but is once again rebuffed by Alan.