Chapter 3 Deep Water Class 12 by William Douglas (1898-1980) from the book “Flamingo” has been updated here, Students should take benefits from this post…
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Deep Water Summary
In this chapter, the author draws an autobiographical event When he was about ten years old, he decided to learn swimming. However, he was averse to going in water from the beginning, But he went to Y.M.C.A pool to learn swimming because it was safe for swimming. He began to learn swimming with the help of his water wings. One day when he was alone in the pool, a big bruiser boy came and put him in his arms and threw him into the deep water. That day the author narrowly escaped death.
From that day he became extremely afraid of water. But he learned that death itself is not scary, the fear of death is scary. Then he decided to learn swimming and achieved mastery in swimming with a lot of hard work and dedication. And after that, he also gained experience of swimming in different places of the world. Thus he finally conquered his fear.
Chapter 3 Deep Water Class 12 by William Douglas (1898-1980)
THINK AS YOU READ: Deep Water Class 12
Q.1. What is the “misadventure” that William Douglas speaks about?
Ans. Douglas had developed a phobia of water because he had nearly drowned on the beach when he was just three-year-old. One day he went to a swimming pool to learn to swim. A big bully of a boy threw him inside the pool. Despite many efforts, he couldn’t come up. Later he was rescued.
Q. 2. What were the series of emotions and fears that Douglas experienced when he was thrown into the pool? What plans did he make to come to the surface?
Ans. Initially, Douglas experienced shock and fright at the sudden throw but he kept his presence of mind. He planned to make a big jump the moment his feet touched the surface and to spring to the surface like a cork. Other emotions he underwent were panic, suffocation, rigidity, paralysis, dizziness, stark terror, and at the end of it, utter oblivion, peace, and the feelings of being carried securely.
Q. 3. How did this experience ( the experience of drowning in the pool) affect him?
Ans. This misadventure paralysed him for life and he developed hydrophobia. He couldn’t even enjoy canoeing, boating or even standing under a cascade. The fear of being near water haunted him forever.
Q. 4. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?
Ans. Douglas did not wish to lead his future life with complexes of any kind. He wanted to feel normal again, go on adventurous trips, enjoy boating or swimming. So he was determined to overcome his fear of water somehow.
Q. 5. How did the instructor “build a swimmer” out of Douglas?
Ans. The instructor divided the swimming session into various steps. At first, Douglas walked in the water with a rope attached to a pulley. Then he was trained to inhale and exhale underwater. He was made to kick his legs for hours in water and later was taught many strokes. At the end of it, when Douglas could swim well, his training was over.
Q. 6 How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?
Ans. Douglas was made a swimmer. But when he was alone in the pool, signs of the ‘old terror’ would return. He wanted to make sure that he was free from that fear, So he went to Lake Wentworth and dived off a dock at Triggs Island. He swam for two miles across the lake. The terror fled and he swam on. At last, he conquered the ‘old terror’.
Understanding the text: Deep Water Class 12
Q. 1. How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned? Describe the details that have made the description vivid.
Ans. Douglas could never imagine that he would face so much trouble in such a short time His trouble started the moment a muscular young boy threw him into the deep end of the pool. He landed at the bottom in a sitting position. He was frightened but not yet out of his wits. On the way down, he planned to make a jump and come to the surface. Those nine feet appeared to be more like ninety. He gathered all his strength and took a great spring. He opened his eyes and saw nothing but water. He grew panicky.
Douglas’s legs were paralysed. A great force was pulling him down. He cried but the water heard him. His lungs ached and his heart throbbed. Stark terror took him in his grip. He called for help but nothing happened. Then all efforts ceased. He felt drowsy and crossed to oblivion. When he came to his senses, he found himself lying beside the pool vomiting.
Q. 2 How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?
Ans. The fear that developed in the pool stayed with Douglas for years. The fear of water ruined his fishing trips, boating, and swimming. It firmly held him in his grip. Finally, decided to get an instructor and learn to swim. He practised five days a week, an hour each day. The instructor put a belt around him. A rope was attached to the belt. The rope went through a pulley that ran on an overhead cable. Douglas held one end of the rope and went back and forth across the pool.
After three months tension began to slack. The instructor was able to build a swimmer out of Douglas. Douglas was still not very sure. Some signs of old fear would return when he was alone in the pool. One day he went to Lake Wentworth and dived off a dock at Triggs Island. He swam two miles across the lake. Finally, he was able to conquer his fear of water.
Q.3 Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of terror and his conquering of it? What larger meaning does he draw from this experience?
Ans. In ‘Deep Water’ Douglas recounts a childhood experience of terror. He also describes his determination of conquering that terror. Douglas’ efforts and determined struggle are symbolic and suggestive. All terrors and obstacles can be overcome through persistent efforts. His experience can serve as a useful lesson for others to succeed even in the most hostile circumstances.
A big bully of a boy tossed him into the deep end of the Y. M.C.A. pool. He felt suffocating. His legs became rigid. His lungs ached and his heart throbbed. Then stark terror seized him. He crossed into oblivion. When he came to his senses he found himself lying beside the pool.
Finally, an instructor gave him thorough training and made him a swimmer. But still old signs of fear would return. He went to Lake Wentworth and dived off a dock. He swam two miles across the lake. At last, he was able to conquer his fear of water. For Douglas, the experience had a deeper and symbolic meaning. He had experienced both—the sensation of dying and the fear of it. Finally, what matters is the will to live. As Roosevelt said, “All we have to fear is fear itself.”
Deep water Extra Questions
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