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The Third Level

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36 views2 pages

The Third Level

Uploaded by

aaryantak149
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Third Level

Summary of the Third Level


Third Level Summary – It is a story about a 31-year-old man name, Charlie. Besides,
this is a psychological story that refers to the subway at the grand central railway
station which takes passengers to Galesburg. In addition, this subway becomes the
interconnection between the narrator’s harsh reality and fantasy. Moreover, the third
level was a way of escape for Charley. As life in the modern world is full of
uncertainties worries and stress, it takes Charley to a different world that his friend
also calls, “a walking dream wish fulfilment.” Further, the story is about Charley’s
tendency to escape from the world. Most importantly, the third level starts because of
Sam’s letter written on 18th July 1984. This story shows the connection between time
and space.

Third Level Summary in English

In New York, the Grand Central Station has two levels. Nonetheless, Charley a 31-
year-old city resident talks that there exists a third level. Also, he claims that he has
been there. To talk about this problem he visits a psychiatrist friend. He calls it a
“walking-dream wish fulfilment” and explains Charley’s psychology by saying that
“the modern world is full of fear, insecurity, war, and worry…..” and everybody
wants to escape to some “temporary refuge from reality.” As for him, hobbies like
stamp collection is an indicator of this escape.

At times the Grand Central Station seems like a maze to Charley. While taking the
subway earlier he had lost his way a couple of times. One time he entered the lobby
of the Roosevelt Hotel. While the other time he appeared at an office building that
was three blocks away. However, this time he loses his way and something unique
occurs. Charley visits the third level!

In the silent hallway, Charley keeps walking, turning left, and sloping downward,
until he touches an architecturally old station, which is totally different from the two
familiar levels. Moreover, this old small room with fewer ticket counters and train
gates, a wooden information booth, wavering open flame gas lights and brass
spittoons. All this remind him of the architecture of the 1800s. Further, he sees
people in outdated outfits. When he noticed the date in the newspaper ‘The World’
he sees 11 June 1894. When he tries to buy two tickets, he realizes that he needs old
currency.

He always wanted to travel to Galesburg with his wife, Louisa. Back in his head, it is
“a wonderful town still, with big old frame houses, huge lawns, and tremendous
trees….” The place has pleasant and long summer dusks and where people have
ample of time. Hence, the next day during lunch, he exchanges three hundred dollars
for old currency amounting to some two hundred only. In addition, the amount
doesn’t bother him as he believes that everything there will be cheaper. However, he
could never again find the corridor that leads him to the third level.

When her wife came to know about this she asks him to stop looking. Unexpectedly,
his friend Sam Weiner also disappear and his wife keeps on looking for him for in the
weekends. Moreover, Sam was the one whom Charley shares his idea about
Galesburg.

Charley inherited the hobby of stamp collection from his grandfather. And someday
while looking at the stamp collection, Charley finds a letter that was earlier not there.
Also, it has the postmark on a faded six-cent stamp with a picture of President
Garfield. Further, the envelop read as 18 July 1894 to Charley’s grandfather in
Galesburg and it addresses Charley.

In the letter, Sam tells Charley that he has reached Galesburg and he invites Charley
and Louisa there. After going to stamp and coin shop he gets to know that Sam
exchange eight hundred dollars for old currency bills to establish his business in
Galesburg. Besides, Sam was none other than Charley’s psychiatrist!

Conclusion of Third Level Summary

Through the third level, the writer wants to escape from the modern world to
peaceful and quite old times.

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