Rose Johnson plays a significant role at both the beginning and end of the story, despite being mostly absent in the middle. Considering her appearances and the narrator's portrayal of her, what might be some reasons why Stein chose to structure the story around her in this manner?

Consult your librarian to locate sources on the portrayal of African Americans in late 19th- and early 20th-century American popular culture. One valuable resource, if accessible, is the film Ethnic Notions by director Marlon Riggs. Compare your findings with Stein’s depictions in "Melanctha." Can you identify any ways she might have been influenced by contemporary images?

Although the story is titled after Melanctha, Jeff Campbell's thoughts and emotions become central, making him a key protagonist as well. If you had to determine whose story it truly is—Melanctha’s or Jeff’s—whom would you choose and why?

Examine two paragraphs, one from the story's beginning and one from the conclusion, that are almost identical. What variations did Stein incorporate? How do these variations and the differing contexts alter your interpretation? Specifically, how does your understanding of Melanctha affect your reading of the later paragraph?

How does Stein portray Melanctha’s death? Reflecting on your emotional response, speculate on the effect Stein might have intended and the reasons behind it.

Investigate early 20th-century avant-garde painters, focusing on portraits by Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse. Which literary techniques in "Melanctha" correspond to the artistic methods these painters explored?

What different meanings could "wandering" convey? Identify examples in the story and develop your responses based on them.

Jeff Campbell is one of the few characters in the story who undergoes change, particularly in his relationship with Melanctha. What does he gain from knowing her? What does he lose? In your opinion, are these changes positive or negative?

In 1903, physicist Albert Einstein introduced his theory of relativity, which transformed perspectives not only in science but also in the humanities. After finding explanations of Einstein’s theory, can you identify instances of "relativity" in "Melanctha"?