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The Third Level Q&A

In 'The Third Level' by Jack Finney, Charley uses the concept of a third level at Grand Central Station as an escape from the anxieties of modern life. A mysterious letter from his grandfather's time reinforces Charley's desire to believe in this idealized world. The story explores the intersection of time and space, blending elements of the past with Charley's present reality.

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18 views1 page

The Third Level Q&A

In 'The Third Level' by Jack Finney, Charley uses the concept of a third level at Grand Central Station as an escape from the anxieties of modern life. A mysterious letter from his grandfather's time reinforces Charley's desire to believe in this idealized world. The story explores the intersection of time and space, blending elements of the past with Charley's present reality.

Uploaded by

poojithamoorthy11208
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Third Level

- Jack Finney

Questions and Answers:

1.Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why?

Yes, I think ‘The third level’ serves as a means of escape for Charley. Modern life is filled with insecurity,
fear, war, anxiety, and stress, making daily existence challenging and, at times, overwhelming. To cope with
these harsh realities, people often seek refuge in an idealized world. Charley discusses the third level at Grand
Central Station with his psychiatrist friend, who describes it as 'a walking-dream wish fulfillment.' This
suggests that Charley has an escapist tendency, seeking comfort in fantasies. Even his hobby of stamp
collecting acts as a temporary escape from reality.

2. What do you infer from Sam’s letter to Charley?

Charley’s discovery of Sam’s letter was surrounded by mystery. While going through his oldest first-day
covers, he unexpectedly found an envelope addressed to his grandfather. Dated July 18, 1894, the envelope
bore a postmark featuring President Garfield. Typically, first-day covers contain blank papers, but this one
held a letter addressed to Charley. In it, Sam informed Charley that he was living on the third level and
encouraged Charley and his wife to keep searching for it. This unusual letter suggests that it was a creation of
Charley’s imagination, reinforcing his deep desire to believe in the existence of the third level.

3. ‘The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress.’ What are the ways in which we attempt
to overcome them?

We can overcome the anxieties and insecurities of modern life by engaging in practical and fulfilling activities.
Developing hobbies, spending quality time with family and friends, traveling, practicing meditation, and
exercising contribute to a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Reading good books is like having insightful
companions—they not only expand our knowledge but also allow us to learn from others' experiences and
stay connected to essential human values.

Participating in hobby classes or gym sessions, attending social events like birthdays and weddings, playing
outdoor games, and engaging meaningfully on social media can also help reduce stress and maintain focus
and discipline in life. Additionally, simple activities such as listening to music, playing with pets, dining out
occasionally, watching movies or plays, and visiting parks can be effective ways to relieve stress, overcome
boredom, and find joy in everyday life.

4. Do you see an intersection of time and space in the story?

The story presents several instances where time and space intersect. Firstly, the first two levels of Grand
Central Station exist in the present, while the mysterious third level belongs to the 1890s. Secondly, although
Charley and his wife, Louisa, live in the present, he attempts to buy old currency to purchase tickets for a
journey to Galesburg in 1894. Additionally, the architecture of the third level is distinctly different from the
modern design of the first two levels. The people’s old-fashioned attire and The World newspaper dated June
11, 1894, further blend elements of the past with Charley’s present reality. Lastly, the letter mailed to Charley’s
grandfather on July 18, 1894, emphasizes this intersection of time and space, as the sender (Sam) and the
receiver (Charley) belong to the present, yet the letter itself originates from the past.

*****

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