Eng project

SUMMARY
"The Third Level" is a short story by Jack Finney, exploring themes of

time travel, escape, and reality. The story follows the protagonist,
Charley, an ordinary man living in New York. One day, he discovers a
mysterious "third level" at Grand Central Station, which leads to a
different time—specifically the year 1894. This level is not known to
others, and Charley’s search for it leads him to believe that it's a
gateway to escape the stresses and complexities of modern life.
Charley’s wife and friends dismiss his experience as his imagination.

However, Charley's friend, Sam, also disappears while searching for this
third level, further suggesting that the mysterious portal might be real
(he also received a letter from Sam dated 1984). As Charley spends
time in 1894, he is struck by the simplicity and calmness of life back
then. However, he soon realizes he doesn't have enough money from
1894 to survive in that time. Faced with the practicalities of surviving in
the past, he decides to return to the present and come back later with
his wife Louisa with enough money.
Ultimately, the story ends with Charley’s reflection on whether he

actually found a way into the past or if it was simply a psychological
escape from the pressures of the present.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS
In Jack Finney’s story, 'The Third Level', time travel is synonymous with
escapism, offering the protagonist, Charley, a way to escape the
stresses of his modern life. Charley feels overwhelmed by the
complexities and pressures of the contemporary world and yearns for a
simpler time. This desire leads him to stumble upon a mysterious third
level at Grand Central Station, which serves as a gateway to the 1890s
—an era he romanticizes as peaceful and ideal.
For Charley, the 1890s represent an escape from the anxiety and
responsibilities he faces daily. He sees this bygone er; the pre-war era
as a sanctuary where life is slower, safer, and more predictable. This
nostalgic vision of the past acts as a psychological refuge, a mental
escape that helps him cope with his dissatisfaction with the present
times. The third level thus symbolizes Charley’s deep longing for a
reality that feels more comforting and within his control, even if it is
unattainable or imaginary. Through Charley’s experience, Finney
explores how people often cope with dissatisfaction by retreating into
fantasies of an idealized past. The concept of time travel in the story is
less about physical movement through time and more about Charley’s
need for psychological relief. The past becomes a symbol of stability
and simplicity, contrasting sharply with the complexity of his real life.
Ultimately, "The Third Level" reflects the human tendency to idealize
the past as a way to escape present challenges. Charley’s journey
illustrates how nostalgia and imagination can create a sense of comfort,
offering temporary solace by connecting individuals to a world where
they believe peace and happiness are more attainable. Finney’s story
suggests that, while escapism can be soothing, it is often built upon an
illusion, one shaped by the mind’s desire to find refuge from real-world
struggles.
TIME TRAVEL IN MOVIES AND BOOKS

The movie The Butterfly Effect explores themes of time travel,
consequences, and the desire to fix past mistakes. Evan, a troubled
young man, uses his journals as a portal for time travel to rectify his
mistakes and find peace, but along the way, he ends up causing more
harm than good. The theme of escaping reality is reflected in how Evan
uses his ability to time travel as a form of escapism—trying to change
the past in hopes of shaping a better future.
Jack Finney's ‘Time and Again’ intricately delves into the captivating
themes of time travel. Simon Morley travels to the year 1882 to
experience historical events as a part of a government project. He
becomes deeply immersed in the period and finds strange solace and
comfort there. Simon's journey into the past allows him to escape from
his present-day life and takes him to a much better time and place.
However, complications were quick to come and he was forced to leave
behind the simpler times. Though he desperately wanted to remain in
the past, he realized that running away from his present life was futile
and ultimately chose to go back to the present. The novel ends with a
deep thought, showing that escaping reality is nothing but an illusion
and true peace can only be found by confronting and accepting one's
present circumstances.
SURVEY ANALYSIS
A survey was conducted to learn students' interests and thoughts about
the concept of time traveling. The survey, attempted by 22 students
provided deeper insights into this topic.
Majority of the students were open to the concept and considered time
travelling at one or the other point in their lives. Here, most of the
students wanted to explore the past, which shows a clear regard for
knowing the past and seeing the old times. Regarding the possibility of
time travel, opinions are divided. 6 students believed that there is a
possibility of time travel in the future, 6 remained skeptical, and some
were completely devoid of the idea.
We also get to see that the students are well aware of the dangers this
concept poses like running into your past/future self, getting stuck in
another timeline, etc.
9 students chose time travel to rectify their past mistakes, which shows
that people hold onto their past and would use this medium to rectify
the wrongs they once did to lift weights off their shoulders. On the
other hand, a large number of students would prefer to stay in their
timeline and not risk altering their reality, as they believe everything
happens for a reason and changing one simple thing could result in a
completely different unwanted outcome. As for how long they would
remain in a period, most of the students preferred to stay over for a
short period, with 3 wanting to stay forever, which clearly shows that
they would leave behind the life they have here to live perhaps, a much
better life, somewhere else. This can be said in connection with how
time travel can be linked with escaping reality.
The survey shows that time travel is a fascinating subject that is also
perceived as a way to right wrongdoings, a method for introspection,
and ultimately a medium for escaping the truth.
CONCLUSION
Time travel, though a hypothetical concept, remains a captivating idea.
For many, it offers a chance to explore and learn new things, while for
others, it presents an opportunity to relive or experience moments
differently. For Charley, the protagonist of The Third Level, it becomes a
sanctuary—a refuge from the complexities of modern life, providing a
sense of peace and solace. However, true peace begins within oneself.
Escaping from life’s problems does not solve them; facing challenges
with courage and resilience is the key to a fulfilling life.
Thus in ‘The Third Level’, time travel is not just a gateway to the year
1894 but also a profound metaphor for psychological escape, reflecting
the yearnings of a common man to lead a life of tranquility.

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SUMMARY

"The Third Level" is a short story by Jack Finney, exploring themes of

Charley’s wife and friends dismiss his experience as his imagination.

Ultimately, the story ends with Charley’s reflection on whether he

TIME TRAVEL IN MOVIES AND BOOKS

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