The Third Level Notes

THE THIRD LEVEL
- By Jack Finney
SIGNIFICANCE OF TITLE
The third level of the chapter deals with insecurity, fear, and war. Charlie, the narrator,
appears to be anxious as well. His desire to see some idyllic and tranquil area like
Galesburg leads him to a Grand Central Station corridor that transports him to the year
1894.This magnificent environment that the contemporary man yearns for has been
given the moniker "Third Level" by the author. The term 'Third Level' also alludes to the
reality that only exists in contemporary man's thinking. In terms of space and time, it
does not exist. His thinking is what allows him to escape the stresses and harsh truths
of life.Since the chapter deals with the third level at the Grand Central Station, New York
and the non existent level of imagination of a man , the title ‘Third Level’ is perfect for
the story.
CENTRAL IDEA
'The Third Level' is a narrative that follows the narrator on a psychological trip through
the past, present, and future. Humans have a natural inclination to jump back and forth
between the past, present, and future. Strategically and organically, the past, present,
and future are all intertwined. Man is mortal, with many positive and negative elements
of life such as love, profit, loss, good, evil, and so on. All of these factors have an impact
on the human psyche. Then existential concerns operate as a spark, causing the human
mind to jump back and forth between the past, present, and future.. The harsh truths of
life have overtaken him. 'The Third Level' is a study of the human mind trapped in a
timeless cycle.
THEME
'The Third Level' is a narrative that definitely delves into the science fiction genre of 'time
travel.' The protagonist, Charley, desires to be moved to the third level, Galesburg,
Illinois, 1894, which is said to be a more better and peaceful environment to be in. The
narrative also explores the idea of escapism as a psychological escape from the harsh
realities of modern life, which is filled with conflict, instability, dread, tension, and worry.
Sam has also successfully eluded capture, with no desire to return to his previous
occupation.
The narrative reveals the average man's vulnerable side. We humans, surrounded by a
plethora of difficulties, occasionally experience a need for calm and tranquility, and seek
for feasible retreats.
PLOT / SUMMARY
The Third Level is a blend of fiction and reality. It also deals with a man's desire to flee
the harsh realities of modern life. Charley, though he denies it, wants to travel back in
time because he is miserable. He is dissatisfied with his wife. He is, in reality, as
miserable as the world in which he lives, which is full of rush, anxiety, and battle. Sam,
his doctor pal, describes stamp collecting as a way to escape into the past.
At Grand Central Station, there were just two floors. Charley, on the other hand,
discovered a third one. It happened by chance. He got lost there a few times. He was
constantly uncovering new passageways, corridors, and tunnels. He began to believe
that, like the roots of a massive tree, the Grand Central was constantly pushing forth
new tunnels and corridors.
He got lost here and ended up on the third floor. This level was very unique and old-
fashioned. The locomotive, brass spittoons, and bare gaslights were all from the
previous century. He wished to flee to Galesburg, the city of his dreams. He was,
however, on the verge of being arrested. The money he used to pay the fare was not
the same as what was in use at the time. The ticketing clerk suspected him of
deception. As a result, Charley stumbled into the present. He never found his way back
to the third floor. His psychiatrist companion, who did not think the third level existed,
discovered it and fled to Galesburg in 1894.
The setting of the story oscillated between two places- the subway in Grand central New
York city , specifically the third level and the world of Galesburg, Illinois, 1894, which
is supposed to be a much happier and quieter place to be in.
GENRE
The story, ‘The Third Level’ clearly explores the science fiction genre of ‘time travel’.
Jack Finney, the recipient of the World Fantasy Award, interweaves fantasy with reality
in his projection of time travel and makes the story a perfect example of science fiction
genre.
CHARACTER AND CHARACTER TRAITS

CHARLEY: The story's protagonist, Charley, is a genuine representation of modern
man. He is a victim of stress, uncertainty, and fear, and he wants to escape reality. He is
an escapist who wishes to escape the harsh truths of life. He enjoys stamp collecting as
a pastime, which he pursues to make his free time more useful and enjoyable. His
psychiatrist friend, on the other hand, describes it as a temporary escape from reality.
He wanted to live the simple life of his grandpa, when everything were beautiful and
tranquil. He seeks the fantastic ordinariness of a bygone era, devoid of modern razzle-
dazzle, sophistication, and material luxuries, yet exuding serenity and quiet.He wishes
to visit Galesburg, Illinois, in 1894, twenty years before the First World War and forty
years before the Second World War. He is a creative individual. As a result, he makes a
journey to a non-existent realm – the third level of Central Station – on the wings of his
imagination. However, after discovering it once, he and his wife are unable to locate it
again. In summary, Charley represents the modern man who is divided between the
pulls and strains of a frenetic modern existence and wants to go because he is unhappy.
LOUISA: Charley's wife's name is Louisa. She adores and cares for her spouse. She is,
nevertheless, a simple lady, and it is not difficult to accept her. She refuses to believe
the psychiatrist's assessment that her spouse is dissatisfied. She interprets this remark
as a personal assault and is "sort of furious." She is happy with the psychiatrist's
explanation when she is told that the present world is full of instability, dread, and so on.
When Charley tells her about his issue with the third level, she becomes frightened and
encourages him not to hunt for it any more. Her husband's decision to exchange the
new cash for the old one worries her, and she instructs Charley flatly to stop hunting for
it.When Charley tells her about Sam’s disappearance, she joins him in looking for the
third level every weekend.
SAM: Sam works as a psychiatrist. He's a classic city slicker. When Charley tells him
about his trip to the third level, he says it was a waking dream desire come true. He
admits that he is unhappy and is seeking a way out. However, he quickly backtracks on
his claim that Charley is a victim of modern-day anxieties. He refers to the narrator's
stamp collecting hobby as a "brief escape from reality." He is a firm believer in keeping
his professional and personal lives separate.Charley's description of Galesburg, Illinois,
as a lovely town with enormous old frame buildings, huge lawns, and massive trees
along the streets fascinates him. He is also impacted by the pulls and strains of modern
life, and he fantasizes of fleeing to Galesburg in 1894. Finally, he finds Grand Central's
third floor and visits it.
He writes Charley and Louisa a note from there telling them to keep looking for the third
level since it is valuable. Sam must have built up his own hay feed and grain
enterprises, according to Charley, because he can't go back to his former business
because psychiatrists are no longer in demand in Galesburg in 1894.
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THE THIRD LEVEL

CHARACTER AND CHARACTER TRAITS

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