INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION
2. AUTHOR’S INTRODUCTION
3. THE THIRD LEVEL
4. ‘THE MORDERN WORLD IS FULL OF
INSECURITY,FEAR,WAR,WORRY AND STRESS’
5. INTERSECTION OF TIME AND SPACE
6. LETTER FROM SAM
7. CONCLUSION
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION:
Third Level Summary – It is a story about a 31-
year-old man name, Charlie. Besides, this is a psychological story
that refers to the subway at the grand central railway station which
takes passengers to Galesburg. In addition, this subway becomes
the interconnection between the narrator’s harsh reality and
fantasy. Moreover, the third level was a way of escape for Charley.
As life in the modern world is full of uncertainties worries and
stress, it takes Charley to a different world that his friend also calls,
“a walking dream wish fulfilment.” Further, the story is about Charley’s
tendency to escape from the world. Most importantly, the third level starts
because of Sam’s letter written on 18th July 1984. The Third Level’ is a
story that weaves together a psychological journey of the narrator
into past, present and moves towards future. There is always a
natural human tendency to constantly move between the past, the
present and the future. Past, present and future are strategically
and organically interconnected.
AUTHOUR’S INTRODUCTION:

Jack Finney (October 2, 1911 - November

16, 1995) was an American author. His best-known works are
science fiction and thrillers.

Finney was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was given the

name John Finney. After his father died when he was three years
old, he was renamed Walter Braden Finney in honor of his father,
but continued to be known as "Jack" throughout his life. He
attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. He married
Marguerite Guest and they had two children, Kenneth and
Marguerite. After living in New York City and working for an
advertising agency there, he moved with his family to Marin
County, California in the early 1950s. He died in Greenbrae,
California.
THE THIRD LEVEL:
Grand central station at the third level
looked very different .There were fewer ticket windows and train
gates .The information booth was in center ,it was made of wood
and was very old looking man in the booth who wore green
eyeshade and long sleeve protector .The lights were dim and
flickering as they were open flame gaslights .There were brass
spittoons on the floor .Men wore derby hats a back four button
suit with tiny lapels and he had a big ,black handle bar
mustache .Men had beards ,sideburns ,and fancy
mustache .Women wore dresses with leg of mutton sleeves .He
caught a glimpse of a very small currier and locomotive with a
funnel – shaped stack .He also saw a copy of the “The World”, a
newspaper which hadn’t been published for years .
‘THE MORDERN WORLD IS FULL OF
INSECURITY,FEAR,WORRY AND STRESS ’:

`We can overcome the anxieties and

insecurities bread by our inevitable existence in the modern world
by getting involved in some practical and beneficial
activities .Cultivating hobbies ,spending time with family and
friends ,going on trips and excursions ,pursuing meditation and
exercises help us live a balanced and healthy life .Reading good
books is equivalent to having good friends with great in
sight .They not only enrich us with the vast store of knowledge but
also help us to learn from other’s experiences and stay rooted in
some basic qualities of humanity .Joining hobby classes or
gym ,attending social events like birthdays and weddings ,going
for outdoor games ,interacting meaningfully through social –
networking sites and writing dairies ,etc can also help us relieve
our worries and stay focused and disciplined life .Simple activities
like listening to music ,playing with pets ,an occasional sinner
out ,watching cinema or plays or going to place like park ,etc an
occasional dinner out rid of stress ,boredom ,and insecurities .
LETTER FROM SAM:
The letter was addressed to charley but
mailed to his grandfather in Galesburg ,illions .It was mailed in
1894 and now appears in his grandfather’s collection .The letter
was suddenly found among the first-day covers where it had
never seen earlier .Moreover ,the contents of the letter are exactly
what charley thought about Galesburg of the 1890’s .Sam’s letter
to charley is a mystery that blends together the worlds of reality
and fantasy ,and thus ,needs further exploration .There are two
perspectives from which one can look at the letter .At one level ,it
proves that Sam has reached Galesburg of 1984 .However if we
look at a deeper level ,we can infer that the letter is just another
instance of his hallucination or dreams of escapism .It is possible
that while charley was looking at the old first-cover ,he was
carried away to different world where the letter was sent to
charley by Sam .The letter reflects Sam’s undeterred urge that
force him to keep looking for the third level .
CONCLUSION:
The story brings us to the conclusion that
people find it hard to make peace with unpleasant things they
came across in life .It brings out a common man’s craving for
peace and security .Like any common man ,Charlie too
appreciate the so called ‘pleasure’ of everyday life .He wants to
stay in the pass because 1894 is much more
peaceful ,secure ,and serene .The world in 1894 hasn’t seen the
repercussions of war ,terror ,and disease had gotten the better of
common folks like charley who wants a transient relief from the
harsh realities of life .
INTERSECTION OF TIME AND SPACE :

Yes, the story clearly shows an intersection of time and space.

Firstly, the first two levels of Grand Central Station were located in
the present time while the third level existed in the 1890s.
Secondly Charley and his wife, Louisa, live in the present time yet
Charley goes to get old currency to buy tickets to go to the
Galesburg of 1894. The old architecture of the platform at the
third level is different from the platform of the modern times. The
archaic manner of dressing by the people and the newspaper,
The World, dated June 11, 1894 also overlap with Charley’s real
time world and existence. Finally, the letter that was mailed to
Charley’s Grandfather on 18 July, 1894 highlights the intersection
of time and space .
BIBLIOGRAPHY;

www.learninsta.com

www.learncbse.com

www.toppr.com