The opening lines of the book introduce the reader to its first-person narrator, Juan de Pareja. He explains that he was born into slavery sometime in the early 17th century. He lives with his mother, Zulema, in the Spanish city of Seville, notable for its bustling trade centers. Juan remembers little about his father, only that he was a white Spaniard who gave Zulema gold hoops and a golden bracelet.

When Juan is five years old, his mother dies, likely from disease. After Zulema’s death, their enslaver—Doña Emilia—compels Juan to take her place, styling him as a page boy and gifting him one of Zulema’s gold earrings. Juan endures her changing moods and remains devoted to her despite her fickleness, appreciating her kind attention. He likens her condescension to that which she shows her dog, Toto. Emilia tends to Juan while he is sick, brings him along to Mass, and, most importantly, vows to teach him his letters.

One day after attending Mass together, Juan hopes that they will visit Emilia’s friend, who often serves an exotic drink of foamed chocolate. Instead, they return home, and Emilia begins to instruct Juan in his letters. He excels quickly, thrilled at his progress.