The third level is nothing but …

Jack Finney's story The Third Level’ interweaves between fantasy and reality. The Third Level is medium of escape for Charley from the present harsh realities of modem life which is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and tension. It is a safe route for Charley to go to Galesburg in order to escape from trouble. So he tries to purchase two tickets for Galesburg, Illinois from the Third Level at Grand Central.

The Third Level is merely a fantasy that exists in Charley s mind only. His psychiatrist friend, Sam calls it a waking-dream-wish-fulfilment. In reality Charley fails to cope up with the modern world which is full of fears and worries. He just wants to escape. He takes it for a reality and plans to go to Galesburg. He even exchanges his new bills of three hundred dollars for old style bills. But he is never able to find the Third Level. It is because the Third Level has existed in his fantasy only. Hence it can be well ascertained that the Third-Level is a medium of escape for Charley. It is only his escapist fantasy.