Transcaucasia, late nineteenth century. In a poor urban quarter, Karapet and Shushan live with their children in a damp, freezing hut, where each day is a struggle for food, warmth, and survival. Against this harsh domestic background, the themes of motherhood, human dignity, poverty, and despair emerge. At the center are Shushan and her children, whose lives show how constant deprivation can reshape family relationships and a person’s sense of security.