Johanna Barker is the daughter of Sweeney Todd, who was entrusted into the care of her mother, Lucy, after Sweeney was falsely convicted and sent to prison. After Judge Turpin seduced and raped Lucy, Johanna was turned over to Judge Turpin as his ward. Now a young adult, she is a prisoner of his house, comparing herself to a caged bird. She becomes enamored with the young sailor Anthony Hope, and together they begin a plan to escape and elope.