Class 12 English - CBSE
Prose: Deep Water
Deep Water is an autobiographical excerpt from William Douglas's book Of Men and Mountains. It describes his lifelong fear of water, stemming from two near-drowning experiences at the age of three and ten, and his relentless determination to overcome it. Through sheer willpower, professional instruction, and rigorous practice at the YMCA pool and Lake Wentworth, Douglas conquered his phobia. For CBSE board exams, this chapter matters significantly as it tests students' understanding of perseverance, psychological trauma, and overcoming adversity. Examiners frequently ask value-based questions and text-based comprehension questions from this chapter.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Childhood Aversion to Water
Douglas's fear began at age three when ocean waves knocked him down at a California beach, creating a lingering terror of water.
The YMCA Pool Incident
A pivotal trauma occurred when a big bully tossed Douglas into the deep end of the YMCA pool, where he nearly drowned and developed a deep phobia.
Psychological Impact
The fear ruined Douglas's fishing trips, canoeing, and swimming pleasures for years, controlling his life and causing emotional paralysis.
Hiring an Instructor
Determined to conquer his fear, Douglas hired a professional swimming instructor who meticulously trained him piece by piece over months.
Testing the Resolve
To ensure his fear was completely gone, Douglas swam alone in dangerous waters like Lake Wentworth and Warm Lake, finally shouting 'Terror, where is thy sting?'
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In CBSE Class 12 English Board Exams, this chapter typically carries 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short answer questions testing the character's determination, long-form value-based questions analyzing the theme of overcoming fear, and extract-based reading comprehension questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What misadventure did William Douglas speak about?
He spoke about two incidents: first, being knocked down by waves at a California beach, and second, being thrown into the deep end of the YMCA pool by an older boy.
How did the instructor make Douglas a swimmer?
The instructor built a swimmer out of Douglas piece by piece: he tied him to a rope on a pulley, taught him to exhale underwater, inhale through the mouth, and kick with his legs over several months.
Why did Douglas go to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire?
He went to Lake Wentworth to test if his terror of water had completely vanished. He swam two miles across the lake and back, finally confirming he had conquered his phobia.
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