Three Lives Stories of The Good Anna, Melanctha and The Gentle Lena

"Three Lives" by Gertrude Stein is a collection of early 20th-century stories that focus on the lives of Anna Federner, Melanctha, and Lena, examining love, responsibility, and who people see themselves as through their complex relationships. The story starts by introducing Anna, "the good Anna," who runs a household for Miss Mathilda, her employer. We see Anna's interactions with her under-servants, showing how she juggles keeping order with providing care, and establishing her character as both a nurturer and a boss. The story shows the tough dynamics between Anna and Miss Mathilda, along with the people Anna used to supervise, painting a picture of Anna's hard life and her dreams that didn't come true, which sets the stage for the rest of the stories about sacrifice and searching for a life that matters.