In the first part of Three Lives, Stein describes the life of Anna, a German servant who takes scrupulous care of the people she works for. During the exposition of the story, Stein explains Anna's character and her immigration from Germany. Stein writes of Anna that "Anna had always a firm old world sense of what was the right way for a girl to do." Stein describes the families Anna works for and Anna's friendship with Mrs. Lehntman, whom she describes as "the romance in Anna's life." The rising action is Anna's commitment to and sacrifice for the families she works for and for Mrs. Lehntman. The climax is Anna's parting ways with Mrs. Lehntman when Mrs. Lenntman adopts a baby (an action to which Anna is opposed), and the falling action is the worsening of Anna's health. The resolution is her eventual death.

In the second part, "Melanctha," the exposition involves describing the life of the biracial character whom Stein refers to as a "negress." Melanctha is depressed and often considers suicide, and her love affairs have not been successful, as she hangs out in the railroad yard to get to know men. The rising action is her relationship with Jefferson Campbell, the black doctor who cares for her sick mother. The climax is Jefferson's realization that Melanctha can never really care for him the way he cares for her, and the falling action is their parting. The sad resolution is her death from consumption.

In the third story, "The Gentle Lena," the exposition in the story is of Lena's immigration from Germany, and the rising action is her marriage. I will let you figure out the climax, falling action, and resolution. The resolution is similar to that of the other two stories in Stein's book.