Pat Conroy, an ambitious, slightly rebellious idealistic teacher accepts Bennington county, SCs school board superintendents offer to teach the all-black kids of the pauper fishery community on Yamacrew Island. Staffless head mistress Brown incarnates stupidity and blind rule obedience, her didactic skills consisting in scolding and spanking her students. Pat moves heaven and earth to motivate and educate, but after finally getting trough to pupils and parents is refused contract renewal by the arch-conservative authorities.