G. D.

GOENKA PUBLIC SCHOOL, SILIGURI

CLASS: XII SUBJECT: ENGLISH (PROSE)

DEEP WATER- William O. Douglas

THEME

This chapter reveals how as a young boy William Douglas nearly drowned in a swimming
pool. Here our childhood experiences play a vital role in formation of our personality and
how these experiences remain with us throughout our life having a positive or negative
impact on us. The feeling of fear is more fearful than fear itself. As said in Julius Caesar,
“Cowards die many times before their death, but the valiant never taste of death but once.”
The man who could overcome the fear of fear will never fail in his life.

Q1. According to Roosevelt, “All we have to fear is fear itself.” Explain.

Answer: The quote by the American President, Franklin D Roosevelt is absolutely true. Fear of
something hampers our progress not only as an individual but also as a society. Fear is a negative
feeling and is a great obstacle to one’s happiness and progress. We should not be afraid of it and
try to overcome it with confidence, courage and hope.

Q2. What were the series of emotions and fears that Douglas experienced when he was
thrown into the pool?
Answer. When Douglas was thrown into the pool, he did not lose heart and planned to push
himself up with all his force. He thought that once he came to the surface, he would paddle to the
edge of the pool. Thrice, he tried to come to the surface, but unfortunately his strategy did not
work and terror gripped him. His lungs were ready to burst; he was breathless and instead of air,
he sucked water.
Q3. What efforts did Douglas make to get over his fear of water?

Answer. After several individual attempts to overcome his fear, Douglas finally engaged an
instructor. The instructor built a swimmer when Douglas himself was not sure. To confirm that
the terror would not strike him when he was swimming alone, Douglas decided to go to Lake
Wentworth in New Hamshire.

Q4. 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?

Answer: Douglas mentions each and every detail vividly. Although panicky, he had his strategy
in place, popping up like a cork and then paddling to the edge of the pool. Unfortunately, his first
attempt failed and terror seized him.
He tried to grab a rope but his hands clutched only at water. He was suffocating and tried to yell
but no sound came out. His legs were paralyzed, lungs ached and head throbbed. He was dizzy
and trembled with fright. The only sign of life in him was his beating heart and his pounding
head.

He attempted to come out of water a third time. He sucked for air but got only water. Finally, he
stopped making efforts and fainted into oblivion.

Q5. Desire, determination and diligence lead to success. Explain the value of these qualities
in the light of Douglas’ experience in ‘Deep Water.’

Answer. Terror of water followed Douglas wherever he went. To get rid of it, he made a strong
determination. He decided to overcome his fear through his ‘will’. He engaged an instructor who
would perfect him in swimming. The instructor first helped him drive away his fear, and then
gave him many exercises besides teaching him to exhale and inhale in water.
The practice went on for months together, during which his fear came back to haunt him, but his
desire and firm will made him persist in his efforts. It was only through sheer determination and
diligence that Douglas could not only counter his terror, but also become an expert swimmer.
He swam across and back lakes to ensure that his fear of water did not return. He had now
completely lost his fear. His desire, determination and diligence succeeded in banishing his fear
of water.

HOMEWORK:

Short questions:

1. “I had an aversion to the water when I was in it,” says Douglas. When did he start having
this aversion and why?
2. “This handicap stayed with me as the years rolled by.” How did it affect his pursuit of
swimming?

Long Question:

3. How did the instructor make Douglas a good swimmer?

INSTRUCTIONS:
Copy the sample questions and answers in your notebook. Home-work questions must be done in
the notebook and pictures/pdf of the same uploaded to ASSIGNMENTS on MS TEAMS by
08.09.2020 (Tuesday).

Alternately, the notes will also be available in the school ERP which may be accessed using
personal login id.