Božena Němcová points out the great contradictions between the lives of poor people and the nobility. The main characters are the Skočdopolov family. Mr. Skočdopole became rich and bought himself a noble title and subsequently a castle. Mrs. Skočdopolová becomes a lady with all the customs of the estate of that time. She is convinced that she caters to the people, but she lives in luxury and people live in the basement.