Isaura was born in 1835, the result of a romance between the slave Juliana and the farm overseer, Miguel. After Isaura's birth, Juliana is whipped to death by the Commander, who takes revenge on the slave for always refusing to sleep with him. Isaura is then raised and educated by Gertrudes, the Commander's wife, who always wanted to have a daughter. Despite her excellent education and fair skin, Isaura will always be treated as a slave. In 1854, Isaura is 19 years old and a beautiful young woman. Her problems begin when Leôncio, the commander's son, appears in her life and develops an unhealthy passion for her. However, all his attempts are futile. Gertrudes and Commander Almeida always wanted to grant Isaura her freedom, but they die before they can achieve this goal.