Class 12 English - BIHAR
Prose: Deep Water
Deep Water is an autobiographical excerpt from William Douglas's book 'Of Men and Mountains'. It narrates his lifelong fear of water, stemming from two near-drowning experiences in his childhood—first at a California beach and later at the Y.M.C.A. pool. The chapter highlights his determination to overcome this debilitating phobia by hiring a swimming instructor and gradually pushing his limits. For Class 12 Bihar Board (BSEB) students, this chapter is crucial as it teaches the core values of courage, perseverance, and mental strength, frequently appearing in both short and long-answer exam questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Childhood Misadventures
Douglas describes two terrifying incidents: being knocked down by waves at a California beach at age three, and being thrown into the deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool by a big boy, which created a deep-seated fear of water.
Development of Phobia
The fear of water ruined Douglas's fishing and canoeing trips, stealing the joy of outdoor activities and haunting him wherever he went, proving how psychological trauma restricts one's life.
Overcoming the Fear
Determined to conquer his handicap, Douglas hired a professional instructor who trained him piece by piece over months, teaching him how to exhale underwater, inhale, and coordinate body movements.
Testing the Resolve
To ensure his fear was completely gone, Douglas swam alone in dangerous waters, crossing Lake Wentworth and diving into Warm Lake, ultimately realizing that terror only exists in the fear of death itself.
Roosevelt's Quote
Douglas realizes the profound truth in President Roosevelt's statement: 'All we have to fear is fear itself,' recognizing that facing our inner terror strips it of its power.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar Board (BSEB) Class 12 English exam, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Questions usually include short-answer type questions about the Y.M.C.A. pool incident, long-answer questions on how Douglas overcame his fear, and extracts for comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Douglas developed a terror of water due to two childhood incidents: a wave knocking him down at a California beach, and a misadventure at the Y.M.C.A. pool where an older boy threw him into the deep end, nearly causing him to drown.
Douglas developed a terror of water due to two childhood incidents: a wave knocking him down at a California beach, and a misadventure at the Y.M.C.A. pool where an older boy threw him into the deep end, nearly causing him to drown.
How did the instructor help William Douglas overcome his fear?
The instructor built Douglas's confidence piece by piece. He used a belt attached to a pulley over an overhead cable, allowing Douglas to swim back and forth across the pool while the rope held him safely, teaching him breathing and stroke techniques gradually.
What lesson does William Douglas want to convey through 'Deep Water'?
Douglas conveys that terror is not in death itself, but in the fear of death. By facing our fears with determination, hard work, and courage, we can conquer even the most paralyzing phobias.
Learn Prose: Deep Water with Your AI Tutor
10 different ways to study this chapter. Free for 3 chapters per day.
Lecture
Key Points
Interactive
Quiz
Flashcards