(a) First-Person Narrative:
Technique - The story is narrated from the first-person perspective of Charley, which creates an intimate and personal recounting of his experiences and thoughts.
Effect - This technique allows readers to directly engage with Charley’s desires and fears, making his longing for escape and the nostalgia for a simpler past more tangible.
Textual Evidence - Charley states, “But that’s the reason, he said, and my friends all agreed. Everything points to it, they claimed. My stamp collecting, for example; that’s a ‘temporary refuge from reality.''
This personal reflection shares his internal justifications and how others perceive his escapism.
(b) Detailed Descriptive Language:
Technique - The use of vivid and specific descriptions of settings and times, particularly Charley’s descriptions of the third level of Grand Central Station.
Effect on Themes - These descriptions not only build a believable world but also vividly paint the past, stressing the theme of nostalgia and the allure of escapism to a seemingly better and simpler time.
Textual Evidence - “Then I saw why; they were open-flame gaslights.” and “everyone in the station was dressed like eighteen-ninety-something; I never saw so many beards, sideburns, and fancy mustaches in my life.” These details highlight the historical setting Charley escapes to, filled with elements from the past.
(c) Symbolism:
Technique - The story uses the ‘third level’ as a symbol, representing not just a physical place but a mental escape into another time.
Effect on Themes - The third level serves as a metaphor for the psychological refuge one seeks from the modern world’s anxieties, underlining the theme of escapism.
Textual Evidence – Charley mentions, “Grand Central has been an exit, a way of escape —maybe that’s how the tunnel I got into.”
This line explicitly connects the physical space of the third level to the concept of escaping reality.
(d) Contrast and Irony:
Technique - The stark contrast between Charley’s mundane, modern life and his adventures on the third level introduces a layer of irony.
Effect on Themes - This contrast enhances the nostalgic appeal of the third level while ironically pointing out the impracticalities of such escapism.
Textual Evidence - “The clerk figured the fare — he glanced at my fancy hatband, but he figured the fare — and I had enough for two coach tickets, one way. But when I counted out the money and looked up, the clerk was staring at me.”
This shows how out of place modern elements are in the past, highlighting the nostalgic yet challenging nature of his escape.