Purificata "Purif" is a lonely, uninhibited young peasant living in a small village of Lucania, where she is treated as a pariah by the locals. Purif has an unhealthy obsession with Antonio, an engaged man, and makes desperate, inappropriate attempts to court him. Though attracted to Purif, Antonio denies her. On one occasion, Purif tricks Antonio into drinking wine laced with her blood, and then claims he is cursed to die. Purif continues to stalk Antonio, and watches his wedding procession.