Canaan recounts the story of German immigrants into Brazil. Milkau meets and tries to help a young, pregnant fellow immigrant, Mary. She gives birth suddenly, in woods where wild hogs attack and consume her newborn son. But local authorities imprison her, believing that she left her son to die. When it becomes clear that Mary has no chance in court, Milkau bribes the guards to liberate her, and they escape to "Canaan."