# Thais *The Urth list — 4 messages, 3 voices, 28 Jul 2002* > Exported from an unofficial mirror of a public mailing list. Copyright > in each message remains with the person who wrote it. > Email addresses are obscured as `user at host`, the form the original > archive published. This file was rebuilt from parsed fields rather than > retained headers, so it is faithful in content but not byte-exact. --- ### Jennifer Van Goethem *29 Jul 2002, 18:20* In Anatole France's "Thais" upon which the opera of the same name is based are found some interesting tidbits about our mystery girl. Thais is an actress. She is the daughter of innkeepers. The inn is frequented by sailors. Her only childhood friend, father figure and spiritual guide, a Nubian slave, was tortured/crucified for a crime he didn't commit. She is deeply afraid of growing old and losing her beauty. The historical or biblical accuracy of this rendition is certainly questionable, but I wouldn't put it past Wolfe to have read novel, or be a fan of the opera. J --- ### Dan'l Danehy-Oakes *29 Jul 2002, 18:41 · follows Jennifer Van Goethem* > The historical or biblical accuracy of this rendition > is certainly questionable, but I wouldn't put it past > Wolfe to have read novel, or be a fan of the opera. ... particularly since Anatole France was, if I am not mistaken, a member of the extended "set" to which one of Wolfe's acknowledged ... heroes? Models? ... whatever ... , G.K. Chesterton also belonged ... --- ### Andy Robertson *28 Jul 2002, 22:05 · follows Dan'l Danehy-Oakes* ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Dan'l Danehy-Oakes" > ... particularly since Anatole France was, if I am not mistaken, > a member of the extended "set" to which one of Wolfe's acknowledged > ... heroes? Models? ... whatever ... , G.K. Chesterton also belonged > ... I am almost certain this is not the case. I am very familiar with Chesterton's work and life, and while you are of course right that he is a model for Wolfe: but he was not AFAIK aquainted with Anatole France hartshorn --- ### Dan'l Danehy-Oakes *29 Jul 2002, 23:26 · follows Andy Robertson* > I am almost certain this is not the case. I am very familiar with > Chesterton's work and life, and while you are of course right > that he is a model for Wolfe: but he was not AFAIK aquainted with > Anatole France I could well be wrong (twice in one day...) -- I've always associated France with the whole extended group that included Belloc, Chesterton, etc., but I can't for the life of me think how I got that impression. ---