The document describes the story 'The Third Level' by Jack Finney, centered on a character named Charley who discovers an elusive third level in the Grand Central Station that serves as an escape from modern life's harsh realities. Charley's experiences blur the lines between fantasy and reality, as he believes his friend Sam has also found this level, leading to themes of escapism and the desire for a simpler, safer life. Ultimately, Charley and his wife Louisa are encouraged to keep searching for this third level, symbolizing hope and the quest for tranquility.

1. THE THIRD LEVEL
Jack Finney

2. CHARACTERS:
CHARLEY
LOUISA
SAM

3. • The Third Level is a medium of escape for the
narrator, named Charley from the harsh
realities of modern life. It is a psychological
journey of the narrator who tries to
interweave fantasy and reality in the past,
present and in the future.

4. Charley is a 31 year old guy. He is seen wearing a
tan gabardine suit and a straw hat. He is an
American who narrates his unusual experience of
having been to the third level.

5. One day Charley is in a hurry to get to his
apartment. He takes the sub-way from the
Grand Central because it is faster than the bus.
He goes down the steps to the first level. Then
he walks down to the second level. The
suburban trains leave from there.

6. He goes into an arched doorway heading
for the sub-way and gets lost. It is quite
easy to get lost there. The Grand Central is
growing like a tree with endless corridors,
doorways and stairs. He finds himself on
the third level.

7. • He finds, it is a different world of gas
lights, brass spittoons, derby hats,
beards, sideburns and fancy moustaches.
• He wants two tickets for Galesburg,
Illinois.
• The ticket clerk is surprised to see
different kinds of notes in Charley’s
hands.
• He warns saying to him, ‘that is not
money, mister’.

8. • Charley turns away and goes out
fast.
• He buys old currency. But he
never again finds the corridor that
leads to the third level at the
Grand Central.
• Louisa, his wife, is pretty worried
when he tells her all this story.

9. The railway authorities swear that there
are only two levels at the Grand Central.
No one has ever seen the third level
there.
• Charley consults his psychiatrist friend,
Sam.
• Sam calls it ‘ a Waking Dream wish
fulfillment’.
• Actually, Charley doesn’t feel comfortable
in the modern world of fear, insecurity
and war.

10. • Therefore, he just escapes into the
world of dreams and fancies. He
thinks his birth place, Galesburg,
Illinois is a safe and peaceful place for
living.
• Even Charley’s friends claim that he
has an escapist tendency. His stamp
collection habit is nothing but a
temporary refuge from reality.

11. • After that Sam disappears, nobody
knows where he has gone.
• Charley suspects him to be in
Galesburg, Illinois.
• Charley finds out that Sam bought
old currency worth three hundred
dollars.

12. • He also finds a marked envelope mailed
to his grandfather at his home in
Galesburg.
• The post mark shows July 18, 1894.
• He takes the envelop and opens it. The
letter has been addressed to Charley by
Sam.
• It has been written that Charley is right
about the third level.

13. •Sam claims that he has
found the third level and he
is in Galesburg.
•He asks Charley and Louisa
keep looking for the third
level.

14. • Sam’s Letter to Charley
941, Willard street
Galesburg, Illinois
July 18,1894
Charley
I got to wishing that you were right. Then I
got to believing you were right. And,
Charley, it’s true; I found the third level!

15. • I’ve been here two weeks, and right now,
down the street at the Daly’s, someone is
playing a piano, and they’re all out on the
front porch singing ‘Seeing Nelly Home.’
And I’m invited over for lemonade. Come
on back, Charley and Louisa. Keep
looking till ou find the third level! It’s
worth it, believe me!
Sam

16. THE END
S SARDAR BASHA
PGT ENGLISH
KV NTPC RAMAGUNDAM