An awkward, innocent, and eager young sculptor from Massachusetts travels to Rome, where his creative impulse is frustrated by the conflict between his puritan conscience and the artistic freedom and cultural sophistication of the Eternal Cit When Rowland Mallet first sees a sculpture by Roderick Hudson, he is astounded and pronounces it to be a work of genius. He wishes to give the artist the opportunity to develop his talent. But Roderick soon loses his inspiration and Rowland loses control of his protege, while both fall in love with women they cannot ever have.
