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Walter Braden “Jack “ Finney, (October 2,1911- November 14, 1995), was an American author. His best known, works are science fiction and thrillers,, including The Body Snatchers and Time, and Again., The Third Level is named for a short story, which appeared in a 1957 collection of, the same name . In the story, the, disenfranchised (deprived) protagonist, discovers a third level to Grand Central, Station from which he takes a train, back in time to the year 1894.
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The Third Level Introduction, • The Third Level by Jack Finney is, about the harsh realities of war., War has irreversible consequences, thus leaving people in a state of, insecurity. It is also about modern, day problems and how common, man tends to escape reality by, various means. In this story, a man, named Charley hallucinates and, reaches the third level of the, Grand Central Station which only, has two levels.
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The Theme of the story, The story primarily, focuses on the atrocities, of the modern world, , cases his pressure –, provide sweet power, to relax., In the story, Charlie – creates, the third level to, seek refuge, , leading people to, look for means of, an escape, , Value, Points, , full of insecurity,, stress, fear, war, & hatred, , one feels caged – by, modern advancement –, leads to tension and, worries
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• ’The Third Level’ explores the science fiction genre of, ‘time travel’. It interweaves fantasy with the reality in the, most futuristic projection of time travel. The story also, dwells on the theme of escapism, not only as a, psychological refuge from the grim realities of the, present day world but also as a desire to stay with the, past or to keep the past alive in the complexities of the, present., • This story is about time intersection , an illusion, a kind, of long dream that we do not experience during our, sleep.
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The story touches upon the theme of acceptance. There might, be unpleasant incidents happening in the life of a person., According to Charley, the world in 1894 was much more, peaceful and calm than his present world, which is full of, hardships and challenges. He wishes to live with his wife, in a, world that has not seen the devastating effects of war.
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Description of the Third level, – Small room, few ticket windows and train gates, wooden and old, looking information booth., – Men had beards, side burns, fancy moustaches, – Women wore skirts, high buttoned shoes and leg of muttons sleeves., – A man looking at a pocket watch, – Old style locomotive with funnel shaped stack, – Open gaslights being used, – Brass spittoons on floor, _ Newspaper The World
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The Irony of the chapter, When Charley tries to find the third level again, he can't. His friend Sam, disappears, and he knows he's in the third level. The irony is that Sam is, his psychiatrist, the one he has been telling about the third level, the one, who tells him it doesn't exist.
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Jack Finney has given, the touch of reality by, proving that there, actually existed the third, level and was not, Charley's waking dream, wish fulfillment., He did this by showing, that Charley's friend, Sam, the psychiatrist,, was missing for some, days., , The story also dwells on, the theme of escapism, Not only as a, psychological refuge, from the grim realities of, the present days world, but also as the desire to, stay with the past or to, keep the past alive in the, complexities of the, present.
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The Bottom Line, In today's busy and, overburdened life every, individual wants some recreation, and relaxation. This relaxation is, possible only in his dreams and, not in real life. So in the prose, the shadowy eerie world that, lies somewhere between, dreams, desires and reality is, what the author calls, 'THE THIRD LEVEL'
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Reality, Escape, , Face
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Let’s discuss, 1. The Third Level1. ‘He said I was unhappy. He meant the modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war,, worry and all the rest of it and that I just want to escape...’ Many of us have a similar mindset to escape, from reality. Do you think escapism can resolve problems? –, No, it never does - Need for honest self-assessment - To know one’s strengths and weaknesses - Set, SMART goals, face reality rather than indulge in fantasy, - Develop the ability to conquer disappointments and forge a path ahead undaunted by setbacks., 2. ‘That ought to set him up in a nice little hay feed grain business; he always said that’s what he always, wished he could do and he certainly can’t go back to his old business.....’ Do modern day youth have the, freedom to pursue a career of their choise? –, Lack of self belief/confidence - Not often; yes/no - Peer pressure - Parental pressure - Beaten path – safety, - Insecurity, 3. ‘I turned away and got our fast. There’s nothing nice about jail even in 1894.’ Do you think imprisonment, in jail or strict punishment will undo wrong and is the best sway to reform criminals or misguided youth?, - No, might harden them further - Society will treat them with a prejudiced eye - Community, service/vocational education – a more effective option - Confinement in jail might bring them in contact with, hardcore criminals – adverse effects - Jail confinement will only enhance for criminal’s loved ones as well
