Lesson 1 – The Third Level

Class 12 – Vistas (English)

Author: Jack Finney

📖 Detailed Summary (English)

The Third Level is a psychological and imaginative story based on escapism—the human desire to escape modern life stress and return to a peaceful past.

Charlie, the narrator, is a 31-year-old man living in New York with his wife Louisa. He is mentally disturbed due to fear, competition and tension in modern life.

One day at Grand Central Station, Charlie accidentally discovers a mysterious Third Level although officially the station has only two levels.

Everything there looked old-fashioned—gas lamps, old newspapers, horse-carriages, vintage clothing. He realizes that he has traveled back to 1894, a peaceful era. He tries to buy two tickets to Galesburg, Illinois, but the clerk suspects him because he is using modern currency. Frightened, Charlie runs away.

Charlie tries to find the Third Level again but fails. His psychiatrist friend Sam says that it was only an illusion created due to stress.

Later, Charlie finds a letter from Sam dated 1894 Galesburg, proving that the Third Level really exists. Sam invites Charlie to come there because life there is peaceful.

🎭 Themes & Analysis
Escapism – escape from stressful reality
Reality vs Fantasy – thin line between imagination and truth
Nostalgia – attraction towards old peaceful times
Psychological stress – pressure of modern life

🧠 Conclusion

The story teaches that peace is not found by escaping reality, but by creating balance in life.

📝 MCQs – The Third Level (With 4 options & Answers)

1. Who is the author of The Third Level?
a) Louis Fischer
b) Jack Finney
c) William Saroyan
d) Pearl S. Buck
Answer: b) Jack Finney

2. What is the central theme of the story?
a) Adventure
b) Fantasy and nostalgia
c) Comedy
d) Romance
Answer: b) Fantasy and nostalgia

3. How many levels are officially at Grand Central Station?
a) Three
b) Four
c) Two
d) One
Answer: c) Two

4. What did Charlie claim to have discovered?
a) A haunted room
b) A hidden tunnel
c) The Third Level
d) A secret lift
Answer: c) The Third Level

5. What year did Charlie reach?
a) 1902
b) 1894
c) 1912
d) 1880
Answer: b) 1894

6. Where did Charlie want to go?
a) Washington
b) Galesburg, Illinois
c) Chicago
d) Texas
Answer: b) Galesburg, Illinois

7. Why couldn’t Charlie buy the ticket?
a) No money
b) Modern currency
c) Tickets sold out
d) Clerk refused
Answer: b) Modern currency

8. Who is Sam?
a) Charlie’s brother
b) Ticket officer
c) Charlie’s psychiatrist friend
d) Train conductor
Answer: c) Charlie’s psychiatrist friend

9. What does Sam believe?
a) Magical real place
b) Scientific truth
c) Charlie’s imagination
d) Under construction
Answer: c) Charlie’s imagination

10. Where did Sam finally go?
a) London
b) Galesburg, 1894
c) Japan
d) Chicago 1960
Answer: b) Galesburg, 1894

11. What did Sam start there?
a) Farming
b) Teaching
c) Business
d) Hay, feed & grain store
Answer: d) Hay, feed & grain store

12. The Third Level symbolizes:
a) Time travel
b) Escape from reality
c) Economic growth
d) Technology
Answer: b) Escape from reality

13. Who supports Charlie emotionally?
a) Sam
b) Louisa
c) His father
d) No one
Answer: b) Louisa

14. Setting of the story?
a) New Delhi
b) New York
c) California
d) Boston
Answer: b) New York

15. Why does Charlie want to escape the modern world?
a) Crime & uncertainty
b) War fears
c) Stress & competition
d) All of these
Answer: d) All of these

16. What atmosphere existed in 1894 Galesburg?
a) Violence
b) Pollution
c) Peace & harmony
d) Technology
Answer: c) Peace & harmony

17. What does Sam’s letter prove?
a) Charlie is mad
b) Third Level exists
c) Trains are fast
d) Modern life is good
Answer: b) Third Level exists

18. Which station is mentioned?
a) Penn Station
b) Grand Central Station
c) Times Square Station
d) Broadway Station
Answer: b) Grand Central Station

19. Where was Sam’s letter found?
a) Psychology book
b) Stamp book
c) First-day cover collection
d) Diary
Answer: c) First-day cover collection

20. The story is based on:
a) War
b) Dream & imagination
c) Friendship
d) Crime
Answer: b) Dream & imagination