Studying to become a teacher in 1950s Northern Italy, Sicilian immigrant Pietro is joined by his big brother Giovanni. Pietro shows considerable promise in his field, prompting illiterate Giovanni to take on even the toughest jobs in order to support his sibling's academic pursuits.

The young Luca grew up with his uncle Augusto, owner of a shoe store. The latter, determined to "start" the clumsy nephew sexually, takes him to a brothel in Florence and throws him into the arms of the stupendous prostitute Nerina, of whom Luca falls hopelessly in love.