Deep Water

William Douglas
I. Short Answer Questions
1. What is the “misadventure ” that William Douglas speaks about?
Ans. William O. Douglas had just learnt swimming. One day, an
eighteen year old big bruiser picked him up and tossed him into the nine
feet deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool. He hit the water surface in a sitting
position. He swallowed water and went at once to the bottom. He nearly
died in this misadventure.
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. Douglas was frightened when he was thrown into the pool.
However, he was not frightened out of his wits. While sinking down he
made a plan. He would make a big jump when his feet hit the bottom.
He would come to the surface like a cork, lie flat on it, and paddle to the
edge of the pool.
3. How did this experience affect him?
Ans. This experience revived his aversion to water. He shook and cried
when he lay on his bed. He couldn’t eat that night. For many days, there
was a haunting fear in his heart. The slightest exertion upset him,
making him wobbly in the knees and sick to his stomach. He never went
back to the pool. He feared water and avoided it whenever he could.
4. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?
Ans. His fear of water ruined his fishing trips. It deprived him of the joy
of canoeing, boating, and swimming. Douglas used every way he knew
to overcome this fear he had developed ’since childhood. Even as an
adult, it held him firmly in its grip. He determined to get an instructor
and learn swimming to get over this fear of water.
5. How did the instructor “build a swimmer” out of Douglas?
Ans. The instructor built a swimmer out of Douglas piece by piece. For
three months he held him high on a rope attached to his belt. He went
back and forth across the pool. Panic seized the author everytime. The
instructor taught Douglas to put his face under water and exhale and to
raise his nose and inhale. Then Douglas had to kick with his legs for
many weeks till these relaxed. After seven months the instructor told
him to swim the length of the pool.
6. How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?
Ans. Douglas still felt terror-stricken when he was alone in the pool. The
remnants of the old terror would return, but he would rebuke it and go
for another length of the pool. He was still not satisfied. So, he went to
Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire, dived off a dock at Triggs Island
and swam two miles across the lake. He had his residual doubts. So, he
went to Meade Glacier, dived into Warm Lake and swam across to the
other shore and back. Thus, he made sure that he had conquered the old
terror.
7. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?
Ans. When Douglas grew up, he took the help of an instructor to learn
swimming. His training went on from October to April. For three
months he was taken across the pool with the help of a rope. As he went
under, terror filled him and his legs froze. The instructor taught him to
exhale under water and inhale through raised nose. He made him kick
his legs to make them relax. Then he asked him to swim. He continued
swimming from April to July. Still all terror had not left. He swam two
miles across Lake Wentworth and the whole length to the shore and
back of Warm Lake. Then he overcame his fear of water.
8. 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. The experience of terror was a handicap Douglas suffered from
during his childhood. His conquering of it shows his determination, will
power and development of his personality. He drew a larger meaning
from this experience. “In death there is peace.” “There is terror only in
the fear of death.” He had experienced both the sensation of dying and
the terror that fear of it can produce. So, the will to live somehow grew
in intensity. He felt released- free to walk the mountain paths, climb the
peaks and brush aside fear.
II. Long Answer Questions
1. “There was terror in my heart at the overpowering force of the
waves.” When did Douglas start fearing water? Which experience had
further strengthened its hold on his mind and personality’?

Ans. ‘Deep water’ describes the real experience of the author and how
did he manage the situation. William Douglas started fearing water
when he was about three or four years old. He had gone to a beach in
California with his father. A powerful wave knocked him down and
swept over him, making him feel helpless and terrified. This incident
created a deep fear of water in his mind.

The fear became much stronger after another frightening experience at

the Y.M.C.A. swimming pool. A strong boy suddenly picked Douglas
up and threw him into the deep end of the pool. Douglas did not know
how to swim and nearly drowned. He struggled desperately to save
himself but could not come up properly. This terrifying experience
deeply affected his mind and personality, making him afraid of water for
many years.
2. Give an account of the fears and emotions of Douglas as he made
efforts to save himself from being drowned in the Y.M.C.A. swimming
pool.
Ans. ‘Deep water’ describes the real experience of the author and how
did he manage the situation.

When Douglas was thrown into the deep end of the Y.M.C.A. swimming
pool, he was filled with shock and terror. At first, he tried to remain
calm and planned to push himself upward from the bottom of the pool.
However, as he sank deeper, panic took over him.

He felt completely helpless and frightened. His lungs felt ready to burst,
and he struggled desperately to breathe. He tried several times to rise to
the surface, but each attempt failed. The water seemed to overpower
him, and fear gripped his entire body.

Douglas experienced extreme emotional suffering. He felt weak,

hopeless, and close to death. He prayed, cried, and lost all confidence.
Gradually, his strength left him, and he became unconscious. The
incident left a lasting impact on his mind and created a deep fear of
water.

3. How did the misadventure in Y.M.C.A. swimming pool affect

Douglas? What efforts did he make to conquer his old terror? Did he
succeed?
Ans. The misadventure at the Y.M.C.A. swimming pool had a severe
effect on Douglas. The near-drowning experience filled him with fear
and insecurity. He became terrified of water and avoided swimming,
boating, fishing, and other water-related activities. The fear continued to
trouble him for many years and affected his confidence.
Determined to overcome this terror, Douglas decided to learn swimming
properly. He hired an instructor who trained him patiently for several
months. The instructor taught him breathing techniques, kicking
movements, arm strokes, and ways to stay afloat. Gradually, Douglas
gained confidence in water. Even after learning swimming, Douglas
wanted to test himself fully. He swam alone in pools, lakes, and rivers to
remove every trace of fear from his mind. Finally, he conquered his
terror completely.
Yes, Douglas succeeded in overcoming his fear. His victory over fear
gave him confidence and taught him that determination and courage can
help a person overcome even the greatest fears.
III. Assignment
1. Comment on the appropriateness of the title ‘Deep Water’