Summary of the Third Level
Third Level Summary: This is the story of Charlie, a 31-year-old man. This is a psychological story about the subway at Grand Central Station, which transports passengers to Galesburg. This subway connects the narrator’s harsh reality and fantasy. Charley used the third level as an escape route. Because life in the modern world is full of uncertainties, worries, and stress, it transports Charley to a different world that his friend refers to as “a walking dream wish fulfilment.” Furthermore, the story is about Charley’s proclivity to flee from the world. Most importantly, the third level begins because of Sam’s letter dated July 18, 1984. This story explores the relationship between time and space.
Third Level Summary in English
New York’s Grand Central Station has two levels. Charley, a 31-year-old city resident, suggests that there is a third level. He refers to it as a “Walking-dream wish fulfillment” and explains Charley’s psychology as follows: “The modern world is full of fear, insecurity, war, and worry.” Everyone wants to escape to a “temporary refuge from reality.” Hobbies such as stamp collecting reflect his desire to escape. Charley sometimes thinks Grand Central Station is a maze.
He had gotten lost on the subway a few times before. Once, he entered the Roosevelt Hotel lobby. The other time, he appeared in an office building three blocks away. This time, he loses his way and something unusual happens. Charley continues walking down the silent hallway, turning left and sloping downward, until he reaches an architecturally old station that is completely different from the two familiar levels.
This old, small room has fewer ticket counters and train gates, a wooden information booth, flickering open flame gas lights, and brass spittoons. When he looked at the date in the newspaper ‘The World’, he saw 11 June 1894. When he tries to purchase two tickets, he realizes he requires old currency.
He had always wanted to travel to Galesburg with his wife, Louisa. Back in his mind, it is “a wonderful town still, with big old frame houses, huge lawns, and tremendous trees.” The location has pleasant and long summer dusks, and residents have plenty of time. The next day, during lunch, he exchanges $300 for old currency worth about $200. He would never again find the corridor that leads to the third level.
His friend Sam Weiner mysteriously disappears, and his wife continues to look for him on weekends. Charley shared his ideas about Galesburg with Sam. Charley inherited his grandfather’s hobby of collecting stamps. Charley discovers a letter in the stamp collection that was previously missing. It bears the postmark of a faded six-cent stamp depicting President Garfield.
Furthermore, the envelope reads 18 July 1894 to Charley’s grandfather in Galesburg and addresses Charley. In the letter, Sam informs Charley that he has arrived in Galesburg and invites him and Louisa to visit. After visiting a stamp and coin shop, he learns that Sam exchanged $800 for old currency bills to establish his business in Galesburg.
Conclusion of Third Level Summary
Sam was Charley’s psychiatrist! Through the third level, the writer wishes to escape from the modern world and return to more peaceful and ancient times.
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