Deep Water Summery

DEEP WATER

By  William Douglas

 

Introduction

Deep Water' is an autobiographical account of the author's childhood misadventure at a swimming pool In this chapter, he tells us how as a young boy, he was nearly drowned in the swimming pool Thereafter, he feared water so much that he avoided it whenever he could, but on the other hand, he was also determined to get nd of his fear. Slowly and steadily, he overcame the fear of water in the end

Theme

The chapter, 'Deep Water' is an essay written by William Douglas, in which he shares about his fear of water and how he overcomes the fear with courage, hardwork, determination, will power, perseverance and a strong desire to learn swimming. The theme covered in this chapter is 'fear' and his 'triumph' over it. It conveys the idea that fear is a great obstacle to our happiness and progress. It is a negative feeling which we can overcome by sheer will power and optimism.

Main Character

William Douglas

William Douglas, the narrator of the story, was a positive thinker. He feared water since childhood. So he decided to overcome his fear. He was a determined man with a very strong will power. It was his determination and will power that helped him get rid of his fear. He was a strategic thinker also. When he was unexpectedly pushed into the water, he quickly planned his strategy to save his life.

Summary

The excerpt, 'Deep Water' written by William Douglas is taken from his book 'Of Men and Mountains

"Deep Water' talks about the author's fear of water, and thereafter, how he finally overcame it. His first such experience was on the sea beach. He was with his father when a powerful wave swept over him. Though the wave receded, it left Douglas petrified. He decided to learn swimming. For this, he chose the Y.M.C.A. pool. It was safe. Its depth at the shallow end was only two feet. However, the deep end was nine feet deep.One day, a strong young man picked Douglas and tossed him into the deep side of the pol. Douglas sank to the bottom. However, he jumped and came up gradually. Fear had sewed him and he was nearly drowned. His efforts to save himself went in vain. No one came is his rescue. He tried to breathe but swallowed water. Though death was at his doorstep, he experienced complete freedom from the fear of death. He lay in complete peace. There was no sensation or fear of death. But someone finally saved him. This horrific experience, however, shook Douglas badly. Its memories haunted him so much that he felt sick. The sight of water rattled him so much that he could not even go canoeing or fishing.

Finally, he made up his mind to overcome his fear. He found an instructor who trained him as a swimmer bit by bit. He was able to overcome his fear completely and swim for miles. The experience of fear and death; and its conquest made him live intensely. Conquering feat made him realise the true value of life and this helped him enjoy every moment of his living. He was finally able to live life to the fullest.

1. What is the "misadventure" that William Douglas speaks about?

Ans. William Douglas had just begun to learn swimming. One day, an eighteen-year-old boy, for fun, picked him up and tossed him into the deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool. He hit the water surface in a sitting position. 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? [CBSE (F) 2011)

Ans. Douglas started going down gradually into the water. He was petrified, so he decided to jump as soon as his feet touched the bottom of the pool. However, as he jumped, he did not spring upwards with the speed he'd imagined. There was water all around. Only his nose was out of water. He started his downward journey once again. An irresistible force brought him down. He felt afraid and was paralysed with fear. Terror seized him. and he trembled with fright. He called for rescue but no voice came out. After that, blackness swept over him. He lost fear. There was no panic. He felt relaxed and lost consciousness.

3. How did this experience affect him?

Ans. The near death experience of drowning had a very strong impact on his psychology. He was deeply perturbed and shaken by the whole experience. A haunting fear of water took control of his physical strength and emotional balance for many years. As he couldn't bear being surrounded by water, he was deprived of enjoying any water- related activity.