The narrator in the story "The Third Level" by Jack Finney talks about his escapism from the real world. He mentions that he had always been fascinated by the idea of time-travel and had often thought about escaping into the past. He also talks about his love for history and how he would often visit museums and historical sites just to get away from the present.

Escapism into the Past
The narrator mentions that he had always been intrigued by the idea of escaping into the past. He had often thought about the different time periods he would like to visit and the people he would like to meet. He believed that the past was a simpler and more innocent time, and he longed to experience it firsthand.

Love for History
The narrator talks about his love for history and how he would often visit museums and historical sites just to get away from the present. He believed that history was a way to escape from the problems of the present and that by learning about the past, he could gain a new perspective on his own life.

Need for Escapism
The narrator's need for escapism was driven by the problems of the present. He mentions that he was unhappy with his job and his personal life, and that he often felt trapped in the modern world. He believed that by escaping into the past, he could find a sense of peace and contentment that was missing from his current life.

In conclusion, the narrator in "The Third Level" by Jack Finney talks about his need for escapism from the real world. He believes that by escaping into the past, he can find a sense of peace and contentment that is missing from his current life. His love for history and fascination with time-travel are the driving forces behind his desire to escape into the past.