The Song of Songs

Lily, an innocent peasant girl, is bereft of her family after her elderly father's death. Her aunt, Mrs. Rasmussen, reluctantly takes her in and runs a bookshop, treating Lily more like a servant than a niece. The uneasy arrangement foreshadows the struggle for affection and independence ahead.

The naturally affectionate Lily catches the eye of a local sculptor, Richard. He flirts with her and invites Lily to his atelier, suggesting she pose for him.

Lily reconsiders under her aunt's scrutiny and consents to pose nude for Richard. In the act, she discovers her womanhood and unexpectedly falls in love with the penniless artist. Richard feels ill-equipped to handle Lily's growing passion.

Despite Lily's feelings, Richard is ill-equipped to respond fully to her passion. He is emotionally unsettled and unsure how to proceed with their fragile relationship.

A wealthy suitor, Baron von Merzbach, appears and schemes to take Lily to his estate as his secretary and mistress. He is a patron of Aunt Rasmussen’s bookshop and uses his influence to pursue her.

The aunt accepts a cash bargain from the Baron and casts Lily out. Lily flees from the bookshop, unsure of her future.

Lily seeks refuge with Richard at his studio, hoping for protection. The Baron pursues her, insisting on control of the situation.

In a painful twist, Richard hands Lily over to the Baron, convinced she would be better off under a provider's care. He believes the Baron's protection could spare her from a harsher fate.

The Baron marries Lily, but their union collapses when she attempts to seduce the Baron's riding master, triggering expulsion from the estate. Lily's social downfall accelerates.

Desperation drives Lily to perform in a Berlin cabaret. She confronts the harsher realities of life after her deception and social downfall.

Lily encounters Richard again and cynically blames him for her degraded existence, while oddly praising him for stripping away her naiveté. She recognizes that his critique forced her to face reality.

Remorseful, Richard invites Lily to return to his studio. He hopes to rebuild their bond on honesty and shared history.

There in the studio, Lily confronts the now-complete marble statue she first posed for as a girl. The statue embodies her lost innocence and the price of her past choices.

In a calculated display of catharsis, Lily smashes the statue to pieces. The act marks a turning point as she frees herself from the statue's image.

After the destruction, Lily and Richard reconcile and establish a genuine, humane partnership. They commit to a life built on mutual respect rather than illusion.