Old Riley is a drunkard who doesn't complete his farm work and spends most of his time at the saloon. He comes home and beats his wife for not properly completing domestic tasks, like cooking, but she struggles to do anything due to her crippling fear of his abuse. Riley's son Terrie wishes to escape the cycle of abuse by joining the Navy, something which his brother Young Riley heavily disapproves of. This is because Young Riley has begun to take after his cynical, drunkard father. Their daughter Angeline struggles to maintain a normal relationship with her boyfriend Andie due to her father's drinking. Andie's family are strict Protestants, which means they are in favor of prohibition and do not approve of Old Riley's drinking. When a tragic accident leaves Old Riley without hands or feet, he can no longer beat his wife or children. Unable to cause harm, he becomes a better version of a husband and father despite the grim notion that he hasn't truly learned his lesson.