The Third Level
The Third Level
The Third Level
1. How did Charley reach the third level of Grand Central? How was it different from the other levels?
Ans: - One-night Charley worked till late at the office. Then he was in a hurry to get back to his apartment. So,
he decided to take the subway from Grand Central. He went down the steps and came to the first level. Then
he walked down to the second level from where the suburban trains left. He ducked into an arched doorway
that headed to the subway. Then he got lost. Knowing that he was going wrong he continued to walk
downward. The tunnel turned a sharp left and then taking a short flight of stairs he came out on the third level
at the Grand Central Station. Here he saw many unusual things. There were very few ticket windows and train
gates that were old-looking and made of wood. Dim gaslights flickered and men wore derby hats and four-
button suits. It was a rather strange world of sideburns, beards and fancy moustaches.
2. Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why?
Ans. The fears, anxieties and insecurities of the modem world are taking a toll on man’s mind. He feels
helpless and frustrated and seeks temporary respite from life’s harsh realities. Charley too was unable to cope
up with his fastpaced and stressful life so his flight to the third level was undoubtedly a medium of escape for
him. It is nothing but a creation of Charley’s own mind. He wants to escape from the modern world’s
insecurity, fear, worries and stress and so seeks an exit, a medium to get away into the world of dreams and
fancies.
3. What made Charley believe that the was actually standing at the third level?
Ans. One-night Charley worked late at the office. He was in a hurry to get to his apartment. So he decided to
take the subway from Grand Central. He ducked into an arched doorway and then he got lost. He walked
down the steps to the second level, turned left and kept on walking. He came out on the third level at the
Grand Central Station. This was a different, old and romantic world. So he was convinced that he was actually
standing at the third level. There were fewer ticket windows there which were made of wood and were old-
looking. There were open flame gaslights. He saw people with beards, sideburns and fancy moustaches. Then
he caught a glimpse of an old locomotive and also saw an 1894 issue of ‘The World’ newspaper. Perhaps
Charley is under pressure to escape from the harsh world of realities. He would like to escape to the peaceful
world of 1894.
5. How does Charley make his description of the third level very realistic?
Ans: - To make his description of the third level very realistic, Charley describes its minute details, vividly
comparing it to the second level of the Grand Central station. He says the rooms here were smaller. There
were fewer ticket windows and train gates, and the information booth was wooden and old-looking. He also
gives a detailed description about the people he saw at the third level and their dresses. He says the people
wore nineteenth century dresses; many men had beards, sideburns and fancy moustaches. He also buys
tickets to Galesburg, Illinois thus making the reader believe that he was actually at the third level.
7. ‘The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress.’ What are the ways in which we attempt
to overcome them?
Ans: - We can overcome the anxieties and insecurities bred by our inevitable existence in the modern world by
getting involved in some practical and beneficial activities. Cultivating hobbies, spending time with family and
friends, going on trips and excursions, pursuing meditation and exercises help us live a balanced and healthy
life. Reading good books is equivalent to having good friends with great insight. They not only enrich us with
the vast store of knowledge but also help us to learn from other’s experience and stay rooted to some basic
qualities of humanity. Joining hobby classes or gym, attending social events like birthdays and weddings, going
for outdoor games, interacting meaningfully through social-networking sites and writing diaries etc. can also
help us relieve our worries and stay focussed and disciplined in life. Simple activities like listening to music,
playing with pets, an occasional dinner out, watching cinema or plays or going to places like parks etc. can go a
long way in helping us get rid of stress, boredom and insecurities.