Class 12th The Third Level English Summary [VISTAS]

Author - Jack Finney

This story moves on two different levels in space and time. It moves simultaneously between the modern times and the 1890s. The main character in the story is Charley who is 31 years old. He lives around New York Central and often travels to his work through the subway of Grand Central Station. He knows of only two levels there from where the train leaves for different destinations. All the timetables and railway officials mention these two levels only. But one day, Charlie discovers the third level which is quite different from the first two levels. Here, the people are dressed in the old style of the 1890s. Here, the tickets have to be bought using the currency of that very period. The Locomotives are also of the old style. From here, one can travel anywhere in the United States. Charley wanted to book two tickets for Galesburg Illinois (one for his wife). But he has with him bills of modern currency which the booking clerk refuses to accept. Charley comes back and buys some old-style bills so that he can go to Galesburg with his wife. But when he goes to the Grand Central Station, he can't find the third level again. Was the third level a reality or merely a fantasy of Charley's mind? The Story centers around the theme of fantasy and reality.