THE THIED LEVEL

BY JACK FINNY
Grand Central Station in New York has subways on two levels from which commuters take
trains to various destinations. However, no third level was ever built. The protagonist of
the story, Charley, believes in the existence of a hypothetical third level that operates
within the time frame of the 1890s and claims to have been there.
Charley visits his psychiatrist friend, Sam, to discuss this issue. The psychiatrist refers to it
as a waking dream) wish fulfillment and rationalizes Charley's experience by stating that
"the modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry, and stress," suggesting that
everyone seeks an escape to some "temporary refuge from reality." He notes that even his
hobby of stamp collecting is a manifestation of this escape. Charley reflects on his
grandfather, who also enjoyed collecting stamps but did not need an escape from reality
since life was relatively peaceful during his time
One night, after working late at the office, Charley hurried to reach his apartment He
decided to take the subway from Grand Central because it was faster than the bus. He
descended the steps to the first level and then walked down another flight to the second
level where suburban trains depart. As he ducked into an arched doorway heading for the
subway, he got lost. Charley had navigated Grand Central hundreds of times but was
always encountering new doorways, stairs, and corridors. Once, he wandered into a
tunnel about a mile long and emerged in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel. Another time,
he surfaced in an office building on Forty-sixth Street, three blocks away. Sometimes,
Charley thinks Grand Central is growing like a tree, pushing out new corridors and
staircases like roots and exit points.
As he continued walking. Charley went down a short flight of stairs and unexpectedly
found himself on the third level of Grand Central Station. This third level featured fewer
ticket windows and train gates. The information booth in the center appeared wooden
and old-fashioned: the attendant wore a green eyeshade and long black sleeve protectors.
Dim, open-flame gaslights flickered around him, and brass spittoons adorned the floor. The
people were dressed in old-fashioned clothing from the 1890s derby ha hats, four-button
suits with tiny lapels. and high-buttoned shoes. Men sported mustaches and sideburns
typical of that era.
Initially confused, Charley soon noticed "The World." a popular-newspaper that ceased
publication before 1994. was still available. He saw that day's edition dated June 11, 1894.
The lead story discussed President Cleveland, confirming Charley's belief that he had
traveled back to 1894. Charley had always wanted to visit Galesburg with his wife, Louisa-a
town he envisioned wonderful and peaceful, characterized by large old frame houses,
expansive lawns, and towering trees. It was a place with long summer evenings where
people sat on their lawns: men smoking cigars while conversing quietly and women
waving palm-leaf fans amidst swarms of fireflies.
Charley intended to buy two tickets but found that the ticket clerk did not accept modern
currency notes that looked different from those used in the past. He returned home but
later exchanged three hundred dollars for bld-style currency notes. However, he never
found the corridor leading back to the third level at Grand Central Station to purchase
tickets to Galesburg.

One day while sorting through his stamp collection, Charley discovered a letter that had
not been there before. The letter was addressed to him but mailed to his grandfather in
Galesburg, Illinois. It was dated July 18, 1894, and written by Sam Weiner-Charley's
psychiatrist who had reached Galesburg two weeks earlier and was enjoying a peaceful
life there with someone playing piano music while everyone sang "Seeing Nelly Home."
Sam also invited Charley and Louisa to join him in Galesburg. When Charley visited a
stamp and coin store, he learned that Sam had exchanged eight hundred dollars' worth of
old-style currency. Charley speculated that Sam would start a small hay, feed, and grain
business since he could not practice psychiatry there. It seemed like a peaceful world free
from worries, fear, and anxiety.
MESSAGE-
"The Third Level" conveys the value of cherishing the present while understanding the
human tendency to seek escape from life's pressures. It highlights how nostalgia and
imagination can offer solace in challenging times but also emphasizes the importance of
finding contentment and peace in reality rather than idealized fantasies.
JUSTIFICATION OF THE TITLE
The title "The Third Level" is aptly chosen for Jack Finney's short story as it encapsulates
the central concept and theme of the narrative. The story revolves around Charley's
discovery of a hidden level at Grand Central Station that transports him to 1894. This third
level serves as a metaphor for escapism and nostalgia, representing a portal to a simpler,
idealized past.
The title is intriguing and mysterious, immediately piquing the reader's curiosity about
what this third level might be. It also creates a sense of ambiguity, as the existence of this
level is questioned throughout the story. The third level becomes a symbol for the human
desire to escape the pressures of modern life, with Charley and eventually Sam seeking
refuge in this romanticized version of the past.
Furthermore, the title reflects the story's exploration of reality versus imagination, leaving
readers to ponder whether this third level is a physical place or a psychological construct.
It effectively encapsulates the story's themes of time travel, nostalgia, and the search for
happiness in a complex world.
ESCAPISM AND NOSTALGIA
The central theme of "The Third Level" is escapism and nostalgia for a simpler past.
Charley, the protagonist, discovers a hidden level at Grand Central Station that transports
him to 1894. This represents
his desire to escape the pressures and anxieties of modern life. The story explores how
people often idealize the past as a refuge from present-day stresses, with Charley viewing
1894 Galesburg as a peaceful, idyllic place.
REALITY VS. IMAGINATION
The story blurs the lines between reality and imagination, leaving readers to question
whether the third level actually exists or is a product of Charley's mind. This theme is
embodied in the conflict between Charley's belief in the third level and his psychiatrist's
initial skepticism. The ambiguity challenges readers to consider the power of imagination
and the nature of reality.
MODERNITY AND ITS DISCONTENTS
Finney uses the story to critique modern society and its impact on individual well-being.
The narrati…
CHARACTER SKETCH
CHARLEY
Charley is the protagonist and narrator of "The Third Level." He's a 31-year-old ordinary
man living in the modern world, struggling with the stresses and anxieties of
contemporary life. Charley is imaginative and nostalgic, as evidenced by his vivid
description of the third level and his longing for a simpler past. He's persistent in his belief
of the third level's existence, despite skepticism from others. Charley is also a stamp
collector, which reflects his interest in history and perhaps his desire for escape. He's
devoted to his wife Louisa and wants to share his discovery with her. Charley's character
embodies the human desire to escape from the pressures of modern life, while also
highlighting the tension between reality and imagination.
LOUISA (CHARLEY'S WIFE)
Supportive of Charley but initially worried about his obsession with the third level. She
eventually joins him in searching for it, showing her love and understanding.
SAM WEINER
Initially Charley's psychiatrist friend who dismisses the third level as a "waking-dream
wish fulfillment." Later disappears, presumably finding the third level and settling in 1894
Galesburg.
TICKET CLERK (ON THE THIRD LEVEL)
Dressed in period clothing, he rejects Charley's modern money, adding authenticity to the
1894 setting and highlighting the contrast between past and present.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
1. What will the President of the New York Central and the New York, New Haven and
Hartford railroads swear?
Ans. The presidents of the New York Central and the New York, New Haven and Hartford
railroads will swear that there are only two levels at Grand Central Station from which
commuters take trains to different destinations. No third level was ever built.
2. The narrator thinks that the Grand Central is growing like a tree. What makes him
think so?
Ans. Charley has been in and out of Grand Central hundreds of times, but he is always
encountering new doorways, stairs, and corridors. Once he entered a tunnel about a mile
long and emerged in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel. Another time, he surfaced in an
office building on Forty-sixth Street, three blocks away. Charley thinks Grand Central is
growing like a tree, pushing out new corridors and staircases like roots.
3. What was peculiar about the third level of the Grand Central Station?
Ans. The third level of Grand Central Station is peculiar because it represents a hidden,
nostalgic realm that transports visitors back to 1894. Unlike the modern levels, this area
features old-fashioned decor, gaslights, and people dressed in period attire, creating an
atmosphere of simplicity and peace that sharply contrasts with contemporary life.

4. Why was Louisa worried about Charley?

Ans. Louisa was worried about Charley due to his insistence on the existence of the third
level and his continuous search for it. His attempts to acquire old-style currency further
concerned her as they indicated his growing obsession with escaping reality, which she
feared could negatively impact his mental health.
5. How does Charley describe Galesburg, Illinois of 1894?
Ans. Charley describes Galesburg, Illinois of 1894 as a wonderful town with large old frame
houses, expansive lawns, and towering trees whose branches meet overhead. He recalls
summer evenings being twice as long, where people sat outside on their lawns, creating a
peaceful atmosphere filled with fireflies-contrasting sharply with modern life's anxieties.
6. Why did Charley want to go to Galesburg?
Ans. Charley wanted to go to Galesburg because he envisioned it as a peaceful town filled
with large old frame houses, expansive lawns, and towering trees. He longed for the
simplicity and tranquility of life in 1894-a time before the turmoil of world wars-where
summer evenings were serene and idyllic.
7. What do you infer from Sam's letter to Charley?
Ans. Sam's letter to Charley presents a mystery that blends reality with fantasy and
warrants further exploration. On one level, it proves that Sam has reached Galesburg in
1894. However, on a deeper level, we can infer that the letter may be another instance of
Charley's hallucination stemming from escapism. It is possible that while looking at the old
first-day cover letter, he was transported into a different world where Sam sent him this
letter.
8. Why did Charley and his wife begin searching for the third level?
Ans. Charley and his wife began searching for the third level after Charley discovered its
existence during a confusing experience at Grand Central Station. After learning about
Sam's disappearance and finding a letter confirming the reality of the third level, they
were motivated to seek it out together in hopes of escaping modern life's anxieties.
9. What did Charley learn about Sam from the stamp and coin store?
Ans. From the stamp and coin store, Charley learned that Sam had purchased eight
hundred dollars' worth of old-style currency. This significant amount of vintage money
suggested that Sam had indeed found the third level and traveled back to 1894
Galesburg. This purchase allowed Sam to establish himself in a hay a hay feed- and-
grain business he had always dreamed of pursuing in that era.
10 What would Sam have done in Galesburg for a living? Why?
Ans. In Galesburg, Sam would likely set himself up in a small hay feed-and-grain business-
something he had dream always wished for as it represented a simpler life compared to
his modern profession. Since Sam could not return to his former job as a psychiatrist in
1894 Galesburg due to its historical context, this new venture became his best option for a
fulfilling livelihood. Q.16 What is a first day cover?

10. What did Charley find in his oldest first-day covers one day?
Ans. A first-day cover is an envelope bearing a newly issued stamp that collectors buy on
its first day of sale; it is mailed back to themselves with a postmark proving the date of
issuance. These envelopes are never opened; instead, blank paper is placed inside them.
In his oldest first-day covers, Charley found a letter addressed to him from Sam dated July
18, 1894. The letter revealed that Sam had discovered the third level and invited Charley
and Louisa to join him in Galesburg-confirming the existence of the escape that Charley
had long sough