A young Senegalese woman takes a job as a governess for a French family, hoping for a better life and the opportunity to experience European culture. Initially full of hope and enthusiasm, she quickly realizes the reality is much harsher and more isolating than she anticipated. Living in a small, confining apartment, she is treated more like a servant than a family member, responsible for endless household chores rather than the childcare role she had envisioned. Her employers' promises of cultural experiences and opportunities turn out to be empty.

As she becomes increasingly disillusioned, the young woman grapples with a profound sense of isolation and alienation. Cut off from her cultural roots and struggling to navigate the oppressive environment, she yearns for freedom and recognition of her humanity. The emotional and psychological toll intensifies as her feelings of entrapment grow, leading her to confront the harsh realities of her situation and the broader implications of her marginalized status in a foreign land.