Notes of Deep Water
About the author
William Douglas :
Born in 1898-1980;was born in Maine, Minnesota.
After graduation teaching in Yakima
Met Franklin D. Roosevelt the President of America and became his
advisor
Was leading advocate of individual Right
Retired in 1975- longest serving Justice
Source of the Story
Excerpt taken from Of Men and Mountains
Deep Water is an autobiographical piece by William O. Douglas. It
describes his early fear of water caused by a near-drowning incident in a
swimming pool. With time and effort, he overcame this fear and learned
the value of courage, determination, and human willpower.
Key Themes:
1. Fear and its Psychological Impact - Early trauma shaped Douglas's fear
of water.
2. Courage and Perseverance - Douglas didn't give up and trained hard to
overcome his fear.
3. Power of the Human Will - With determination, he overcame a deeply
rooted fear.
4. Personal Growth - His transformation is symbolic of inner strength and
growth.
Literary Analysis
Genre: Autobiography
Plot: The story follows Douglas’s experience with water, from a childhood
incident at YMCA to his deliberate efforts to learn swim and conquer his
fear.
Settings:
The story is set in various locations including the YMCA pool, where the
initial trauma began and the water where he practiced and conquer his
hydrophobia.
Language and Style:
Vivid and descriptive language
The narrative is personal and reflective.
Symbolism:
The Deep Water itself is a symbolic of unknown challenges and depth
of fear that Douglas faced while the natural world( water where he
learns to swim ) cab be seen as a Metaphor for his personal efforts
and eventual victory.
Tone: Blend of personal narrative and psychological exploration.
NCERT-Questions and Answers:
Think As You Read
Q1. What is the "misadventure" that William Douglas speaks about?
Ans: The "misadventure" William Douglas refers to is his traumatic
experience of being thrown into the deep end of the YMCA pool by a bully
when he was a young boy. He was unable to swim and struggled
desperately to reach the surface, which led to a near-drowning
experience. This incident deeply terrified him and left a lasting impact.
Q2. 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: When Douglas was thrown into the pool, he experienced a series of
intense emotions and fears. Initially, he felt shock and surprise, followed
by panic as he sank underwater. He felt helpless and terrified, struggling
to breathe. Douglas planned to hit the bottom of the pool and then jump
up to reach the surface. However, his plan did not work as expected,
adding to his fear and sense of helplessness.
Q3. How did this experience affect him?
Ans: This experience had a profound effect on Douglas. He developed a
deep-seated fear of water, which affected him both physically and
emotionally. He was so traumatised that he avoided water whenever he
could and felt anxious even at the thought of being near it. The incident
left him with a haunting fear in his heart, and he experienced physical
symptoms like trembling and feeling sick whenever he exerted himself.
04. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?
Ans: Douglas was determined to get over his fear of water because it
significantly limited his enjoyment of life. He realised that his fear was
holding him back from activities and experiences, especially those
involving water. Douglas wanted to overcome this limitation and not let
his fear control his life. His determination was fuelled by a desire to
conquer his fear and enjoy water-based activities without anxiety.
Q5. How did the instructor "build a swimmer" out of Douglas?
Ans: The instructor had 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 every time. The
instructor taught Douglas to put his face under the water and exhale, and
to raise his nose and inhale. Then Douglas had to kick with his legs for
many weeks till they relaxed. After seven months, the instructor told him
to swim the length of the pool.
Q6. How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?
Ans: Douglas made sure he conquered his old terror by methodically
learning to swim and gradually facing his fear. He took swimming lessons,
where he practised regularly and slowly built his confidence in the water.
He learned various swimming strokes and how to breathe properly while
swimming. The ultimate test of his success in conquering his fear was
when he swam across Lake Wentworth. This act proved to himself that he
had overcome his terror of water.
Understanding the Text
Q1. 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 vividly conveys his panic during the near-drowning
experience with detailed descriptions. He talks about how he planned to
jump to the surface but couldn't. He describes his view of the water as
having a 'dirty yellow tinge,' which shows his confusion and fear. Douglas
mentions trying to scream underwater, feeling paralysed, and the
sensation of being pulled under, which highlights his helplessness. He also
describes his physical reactions, like his aching lungs and throbbing head,
adding to the sense of urgency and panic. These vivid details make the
reader feel his terror and understand the depth of his fear.
Q2. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?
Ans: Douglas overcame his fear of water through determination and
systematic training. As an adult, he bravely decided to face his fear by
learning to swim. He took swimming lessons, where he was gradually
introduced to the water in a controlled environment. His instructor used a
belt-and-rope system for safety, which helped Douglas feel secure. He
practised breathing techniques and simple swimming strokes. Over time,
his confidence grew, and he learned to control his movements in water.
Douglas's persistent practice, facing his fear step by step, helped him
gradually overcome it. Finally, swimming across a lake validated his
triumph over his fear.
Q3. 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: Douglas recounts his childhood experience of terror and its
conquering to illustrate the importance of facing and overcoming fears. By
sharing his journey, he conveys a message of resilience and courage. He
shows that even deep-seated fears, rooted in traumatic experiences, can
be conquered with determination and effort. The larger meaning Douglas
draws from this experience is the power of the human spirit to overcome
challenges. His story is not just about learning to swim. It is about facing
life's obstacles, no matter how daunting they may seem. Douglas's
narrative inspires readers to confront their own fears. It demonstrates that
personal growth often lies in overcoming what we fear the most.
Talking about the Text
Q1. "All we have to fear is fear itself". Have you ever had a fear that you
have now overcome? Share your experience with your partner.
Ans: Roosevelt has appropriately said, "All we have to fear is fear itself."
These words have a deeper meaning for all of us. It implies that we fear,
fear the most. Those only who have undergone this experience of fear can
appreciate its worth. William Douglas had faced it twice in life. He had a
terrible fear of water. He could not go for swimming, canoeing, boating,
rafting, etc. He realised that it would ruin his life, since it was following
and haunting him wherever he went. Fear is our hard core enemy. We
must get rid of it at the earliest like Douglas. I too had a terrible
experience in my life. Once I went to a snake park in Kerala. Seeing all the
snakes trying to crawl up the oily well wasn't a pleasing sight and infact
brought terror of snakes in my life. One day, when I was walking on the
road, I saw a small snake crossing the road. My friend, who knew about
my fear, told me that he could kill it for me. But seeing how the snake was
just a little baby, I mustered the courage to walk up to it. My breath
hitched when it came towards me, but I was soon relieved when it scurried
over my foot and went on its way. My friend was surprised to see my bold
gesture and the snake's friendly reaction to it. Ever since, my fear of
snakes has largely reduced.