In the early 1950s, Marcus Messner, a brilliant and intense young man from a working-class Jewish family in Newark, New Jersey, leaves home to attend Winesburg College in Ohio. Escaping his overprotective father, Marcus hopes to find a new sense of freedom and identity. At college, he quickly faces cultural and social challenges that test his ideals and beliefs. He becomes romantically involved with the beautiful and enigmatic Olivia Hutton, whose personal struggles both attract and trouble him. As Marcus navigates his newfound independence, he finds himself at odds with the college administration, particularly the imposing Dean Caudwell.

Compelled to maintain his scholarship and uphold his values, Marcus grapples with existential questions and the societal expectations of the time. His confrontations with Dean Caudwell escalate, forcing Marcus to confront deep-seated issues about faith, morality, and personal responsibility. This intellectual and emotional journey profoundly impacts Marcus, influencing his relationships and shaping his future in ways he never anticipated. The narrative intricately weaves together themes of youthful rebellion, the search for identity, and the harsh realities of life in 1950s America.