# Three Lives — Character guide

> Key figures in Three Lives by Gertrude Stein.

- [Jefferson Campbell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/jefferson_campbell.md): A young black doctor who becomes Melanctha's lover and struggles with her emotional intensity.
- [Melanctha Herbert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/melanctha_herbert.md): A passionate, restless young woman seeking love and meaning in a small town.
- [Anna Federner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/anna_federner.md): A devoted German servant who manages her mistresses' households with fierce loyalty.
- [Lena Mainz](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/lena_mainz.md): A docile, passive German girl who becomes a servant and later a wife.
- [Jane Harden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/jane_harden.md): A worldly, dissipated woman who mentors Melanctha in her youth.
- [Rose Johnson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/rose_johnson.md): A selfish, lazy black woman who is Melanctha's friend and later neglects her.
- [Herman Kreder](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/herman_kreder.md): A German tailor who marries Lena and becomes controlling.
- [Mrs. Lehntman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/mrs_lehntman.md): A midwife and Anna's close friend, who often takes advantage of Anna's generosity.
- [Jem Richards](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/jem_richards.md): A gambler and Melanctha's lover after Jeff, who treats her poorly.
- [Mrs. Haydon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/mrs_haydon.md): Anna's first mistress, a kind but ineffectual woman.
- [Sam Johnson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/sam_johnson.md): Rose's husband, a hardworking but passive man.
- [Miss Mary Wadsmith](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/miss_mary_wadsmith.md): A wealthy, elderly woman who employs Anna for many years.
- [Julia Lehntman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/julia_lehntman.md): Mrs. Lehntman's daughter, a flighty young woman.
- [Molly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/molly.md): An Irish servant girl who works with Anna.
- [Mrs. Drehten](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/mrs_drehten.md): A German woman who boards with Anna and later becomes her companion.
- [Sallie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/sallie.md): A young girl who works as a servant in the Wadsmith household.
- [Peter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/peter.md): A young man who briefly courts Melanctha.
- [James Herbert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/james_herbert.md): Melanctha's father, a black man who abandons the family.
- [Mathilda Haydon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/mathilda_haydon.md): Anna's cousin, a dull, fat girl who comes to live with her.
- [Old Katie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/old_katie.md): An elderly German woman who works as a servant.
- [Baby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/baby.md): Anna's blind, elderly dog, whom she dotes on.
- [Miss Annie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/miss_annie.md): A young woman who works as a servant in the Wadsmith house.
- [Miss Jane](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/miss_jane.md): A young girl who is a friend of the Wadsmith family.
- [Mrs. Aldrich](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/mrs_aldrich.md): A wealthy woman who employs Anna briefly.
- [Sis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/sis.md): A young black girl who works as a servant.
- [Old Mr. Kreder](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/old_mr_kreder.md): Herman's father, a strict German tailor.
- [Dr. Shonjen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/dr_shonjen.md): A jovial doctor who treats Anna in her final illness.
- [Rags](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/rags.md): A small, lively dog owned by Mrs. Lehntman.
- [Mr. Haydon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/mr_haydon.md): Mrs. Haydon's husband, a shadowy figure.
- [Lizzie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters/lizzie.md): A cheerful servant girl who works with Anna.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/three_lives_se/characters