At the turn of the century, Philip Carey is a meek, clubfooted man attending medical school after failing to make it as an artist. Looking for love to invigorate his life, Carey meets Mildred Rogers, a disinterested waitress at a nearby restaurant. Although Carey finds her personality disagreeable, he is strangely drawn to her. Soon, the two begin a dysfunctional relationship where she abandons him, and he always takes her back, regardless of how it might harm him.