Barbara Undershaft is a woman from an absurdly wealthy family who has found love in Adophus Cusins, an impoverished man of books and ideas. While living in luxury, Barbara is focused on a separate life that is devoid of wealth and centered on the salvation of souls. Meanwhile, Adolphus is doing his best live up to his high ideals and his love for Barbara in the face of the magnificence of the Undershaft family. When the necessities of the working class meet head on with the privileges of aristocracy, the conflict arises: Is salvation better achieved through a charitable organization, or is humankind better served and salvation achieved through the work of industry?