The Third Level

Jack Wirth
Reagles 3A/B
March 2, 2010

“The Third Level”


Imagine yourself walking in a Subway Station you’ve known since you were a little kid. You stumble upon a level you’ve never been to before. When you get on this level, time’s changed. This is the experience that Charlie has gotten. “The Third Level” is a romance showing how an author’s past can affect the future.
In my point of view, it’s a romance. It’s totally unrealistic and it follows the whole plotline. While he’s in the past, he realizes life is so much better. While he’s in the past, he tries getting a train to Galesburg, Illinois. The cashier won’t let him because “That ain’t money mister!” After he attempted to get on the train, he was rejected which resembles the mild conflict. When he got back, he got his money transferred into old time currency. After he put all his money into old time currency, he could never find the “Third Level” again! Charlie became outrageous. Instead of continuing the search, he spread the word about this mysterious third level. Then, one day he got a letter that said on the address 1894, Galesburg Illinois. It was from his friend saying that he got on the forged floor and was in the past. Out of my view, that could possibly be the life-affirming symbol.
Even though it seemed like this story was very fictional, part of it wasn’t. Jack Finney’s life has been a lot like this story. After I read his petit biography, I made a lot of connections. When he was young, he would dream about time travel. I think he based most of this story on his childhood adventures and unrealistic stories. Another reason why Finney’s past could play a part could be because he lived in New York too. And if it wasn’t because of childhood memories, I’d also think it would be cool to write a story about time travel.
One of the connections that this story makes me think about is Narnia. It reminds me of this story because when I was pre-writing; it hit me that it was exactly like this story. When Charlie goes to the third level, it’s like when they go to the wardrobe. The kids and Charlie can only go in the Third Level by mistake or if they desperately need it. They both figure out that life is way much better in the new land then at home. When they try to go back to get things, problems happen. Edmund is wanted to be dead while Charlie can’t get back. They both end in a good resolution with a letter and a speech.
The “Third Level” is a questioning romance telling readers to believe in the impossible. Flashes from the past gave Charlie a different world to hope for. He was able to believe in the impossible because of a stumble in a Subway Station. He was able to believe in the impossible because he knew “impossible” didn’t really exist.