The Narrative Path of Constance Crawley: Decoding Thais

The story of "Thais" takes place in Alexandria during the early era of Christianity. Many of the scenes depicting the licentious life in Alexandria would be repellent in their realism, but for the care used by the cast in keeping all the sumptuousness possible in the picture, and eliminating everything that would be offensive. During the dominance of the fair courtesan Thais, the city was at the height of its glory. Paphnuce, a young Roman but recently converted to Christianity, falls under the spell of Thais, who rules Alexandria's youth with an iron hand. But Thais is never constant in her affection, and when Paphnuce finds himself no longer her favorite he turns, brokenhearted, to the church for consolation. He becomes a hermit-monk, and goes into the desert to preach the gospel to wandering tribes. Five years later he has conquered himself completely, and fired with the ardor of saintliness. he returns to Alexandria to try and win Thais from her wicked ways. He succeeds in converting her, and while she loves him again, she is strong enough to control herself, and enters the convent of the White Sisters to expiate her earlier life of sin. But while he is bringing Thais to see the light. Paphnuce's own spiritual downfall results, for he finds his love of the woman stronger than his own steadfastness to Christianity. He can control himself no longer, and one night, coming into the convent, he finds Thais dying, brokenhearted, and is just in time to let her last breath on earth come while pillowed in his arms.