THE THIRD LEVEL By Jack Finney - (English - XII)

Summary

In *The Third Level* by Jack Finney, Charlie, a 31-year-old man, discovers a mysterious 'third level' at Grand Central Station, a time portal to the peaceful year of 1894. Despite skepticism from his psychiatrist and friends, Charlie believes the third level offers an escape from modern chaos. He tries to return, but after a failed attempt, he discovers a letter from his psychiatrist, Sam, who claims to have found the third level and is now living in Galesburg, Illinois. The story blends mystery with nostalgia, exploring the desire to escape into a simpler time.

Takeaways

• 😀 Charlie, the protagonist, is a 31-year-old man who believes in the existence of a mysterious third level at Grand Central Station.
• 😀 Despite being told by railroad presidents that the third level doesn't exist, Charlie remains convinced of its reality.
• 😀 Charlie consults a psychiatrist named Sam, who believes that Charlie's perception of the third level is an escape mechanism from his unhappiness with the present.
• 😀 Charlie disagrees with the psychiatrist, explaining that his stamp collection—passed down from his grandfather—is evidence of his connection to a simpler time.
• 😀 While traveling home one evening, Charlie becomes lost in Grand Central Station and unexpectedly finds a hidden third level.
• 😀 The third level appears as a corridor lit by gas lights, filled with 1890s-style clothing, and features a career and Ives locomotive.
• 😀 Charlie confirms his time travel by finding a newspaper from June 11, 1894, signaling that he has traveled back in time.
• 😀 Excited by the simplicity and peace of 1894, Charlie attempts to buy tickets for a trip to Galesburg, Illinois, but the clerk refuses his modern currency and threatens to call the police.
• 😀 After failing to return to the third level the next day, Charlie tries to purchase old-style currency, but he never finds the third level again.
• 😀 Charlie later finds a letter from Sam, his psychiatrist, in an old stamp collection, revealing that Sam has also found the third level and has been living in Galesburg since.
• 😀 Sam encourages Charlie to keep searching for the third level, suggesting it offers an escape to a more peaceful time.

Q & A

What is the main premise of 'The Third Level' by Jack Finney?

The main premise of 'The Third Level' revolves around Charlie, a 31-year-old man who believes in the existence of a mysterious third level in Grand Central Station, which he claims acts as a portal to the year 1894, a simpler and peaceful time.

How do Charlie's friends and psychiatrist view the existence of the third level?

Charlie’s friends and his psychiatrist, Sam, dismiss the idea of the third level, suggesting that it is a product of Charlie’s unhappiness and desire to escape reality, as he is seen as someone using his stamp collection as a way to avoid confronting his problems.

What evidence does Charlie find that supports his belief in the third level?

Charlie finds a newspaper dated June 11, 1894, on the third level, confirming that he has somehow traveled back in time. This discovery fuels his belief that the third level is real and serves as a portal to a peaceful time.

Why does Charlie want to travel to 1894?

Charlie is drawn to 1894 because it was a peaceful time before the turmoil of the world wars. He desires to escape the stresses of modern life and live in a simpler, less troubled era.

What happens when Charlie tries to buy tickets at the third level?

When Charlie attempts to buy tickets to Galesburg, Illinois, the clerk at the third level refuses to accept his modern currency and threatens to call the police, leading Charlie to flee back to the present.

How does Charlie try to return to the third level after his initial encounter?

After his first encounter with the third level, Charlie withdraws a large sum of money and purchases old-style currency in an attempt to return, but he never finds the third level again despite repeated efforts.

What does Charlie’s wife, Louisa, think about his search for the third level?

Charlie’s wife, Louisa, is concerned about his obsession with the third level. She worries that it is affecting his well-being and urges him not to continue searching for it.

What surprising discovery does Charlie make later in the story?

Charlie discovers a letter in his stamp collection that was mailed from 1894. The letter is from Sam, the psychiatrist, who reveals that he has found the third level and has been living in Galesburg for two weeks.

What message does Sam’s letter convey to Charlie?

Sam’s letter encourages Charlie not to give up hope in finding the third level. It reassures him that the third level is real and urges him to keep searching, suggesting that Sam has found it and is living in 1894.

What does the third level symbolize in the story?

The third level symbolizes a desire to escape from the chaos and complexities of modern life and return to a simpler, more peaceful time. It represents a yearning for tranquility and nostalgia for a past untouched by war.