Podcast
Questions and Answers
What reason did the psychiatrist give for Charley's experience with the third level?
What reason did the psychiatrist give for Charley's experience with the third level?
- A side effect of stamp collecting.
- A waking-dream wish fulfillment due to unhappiness. (correct)
- A result of Charley's vivid imagination.
- A genuine time-travel incident.
Charley initially told his psychiatrist friend about the third level experience.
Charley initially told his psychiatrist friend about the third level experience.
True (A)
What hobby does Charley pursue, which is described as a 'temporary refuge from reality'?
What hobby does Charley pursue, which is described as a 'temporary refuge from reality'?
Stamp Collecting
Charley describes himself as an ______ guy named Charley, thirty-one years old.
Charley describes himself as an ______ guy named Charley, thirty-one years old.
From which avenue did Charley enter Grand Central to reach the first level?
From which avenue did Charley enter Grand Central to reach the first level?
Charley accurately reached his home destination after getting lost in Grand Central.
Charley accurately reached his home destination after getting lost in Grand Central.
What physical characteristic of Grand Central does Charley compare to the growth of a tree?
What physical characteristic of Grand Central does Charley compare to the growth of a tree?
At the third level, the lights were dim because they used ______.
At the third level, the lights were dim because they used ______.
What detail in the station confirmed to Charley that he had traveled back in time?
What detail in the station confirmed to Charley that he had traveled back in time?
The newspaper 'The World' is currently in publication.
The newspaper 'The World' is currently in publication.
What President was mentioned in the lead story of 'The World' newspaper that Charley saw?
What President was mentioned in the lead story of 'The World' newspaper that Charley saw?
Charley wanted to buy two tickets to ______, Illinois.
Charley wanted to buy two tickets to ______, Illinois.
What was the clerk's reaction when Charley presented him with modern currency?
What was the clerk's reaction when Charley presented him with modern currency?
Charley successfully purchased tickets on the third level using modern currency.
Charley successfully purchased tickets on the third level using modern currency.
How much money did Charley withdraw from the bank to buy old-style currency?
How much money did Charley withdraw from the bank to buy old-style currency?
Charley discovered that eggs cost ______ cents a dozen in 1894.
Charley discovered that eggs cost ______ cents a dozen in 1894.
What proof did Charley and Louisa have that the third level still existed?
What proof did Charley and Louisa have that the third level still existed?
Sam was a dentist.
Sam was a dentist.
What address was on the envelope that Sam mailed to Charley's grandfather?
What address was on the envelope that Sam mailed to Charley's grandfather?
Sam bought ______ dollars' worth of old-style currency to set up his business.
Sam bought ______ dollars' worth of old-style currency to set up his business.
Flashcards
The Third Level plot
The Third Level plot
The story revolves around Charley, who discovers a third level at Grand Central Terminal.
Who is Sam Weiner?
Who is Sam Weiner?
Charley's psychiatrist friend, who dismisses Charley's third level experience as a waking-dream wish fulfillment.
Stamp collecting (according to friends)
Stamp collecting (according to friends)
Temporary escape from reality.
Who is Louisa?
Who is Louisa?
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What is 1894?
What is 1894?
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What is Galesburg?
What is Galesburg?
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What is a first-day cover?
What is a first-day cover?
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What is "The World"?
What is "The World"?
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Signs of time travel to 1894
Signs of time travel to 1894
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Study Notes
- The story is titled "The Third Level" by Jack Finney.
- The narrator, Charley, claims there are three levels at Grand Central Station.
- The presidents of the New York Central and the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroads insist there are only two levels.
- Charley discusses the third level with his psychiatrist friend, who suggests it is a "waking-dream wish fulfillment" due to Charley's unhappiness and desire to escape the modern world's insecurity, fear, war, and worry.
- Charley is 31 years old and describes himself as an ordinary guy.
- One night after working late, Charley decides to take the subway from Grand Central.
- He goes down to the first level for trains, then to the second level for suburban trains, and gets lost.
- Charley finds a corridor that leads him to the third level at Grand Central Station.
- The third level is different: smaller room, fewer ticket windows and train gates, a wood and old-looking information booth.
- The man in the booth wears a green eyeshade and long black sleeve protectors.
- The lights are dim and flickering, due to open-flame gaslights.
- Charley notices brass spittoons on the floor and a man with a gold watch, derby hat, a black four-button suit, and a handlebar mustache.
- He sees everyone dressed in 1890s fashion.
- He observes a woman in a dress with leg-of-mutton sleeves and high-buttoned shoes.
- Charley sees a Currier & Ives locomotive with a funnel-shaped stack.
- To be certain, Charley checks a newspaper and finds "The World" with a lead story about President Cleveland, dated June 11, 1894.
- Charley wants to buy two tickets to Galesburg, Illinois for himself and his wife Louisa.
- The clerk becomes suspicious of Charley's modern currency.
- The clerk says "That ain't money, mister," indicating the bills were old-style and larger than current ones.
- Charley buys old-style currency for a premium
- Charley could not find the third level again.
- His wife Louisa is worried about his obsession with the third level.
- His friend Sam Weiner disappears, and Charley suspects he went to Galesburg.
- Charley finds a first-day cover addressed to his grandfather in Galesburg, postmarked July 18, 1894.
- The letter inside is from Sam, who says he found the third level and has been in Galesburg for two weeks.
- Sam writes he is enjoying life in Galesburg and invites Charlely and Louisa to join him.
- At a coin store, Charley learns that Sam bought $800 worth of old-style currency.
- Sam, formerly Charley's psychiatrist, always wanted to run a hay, feed, and grain business.
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