Class 12 English - ODISHA
Prose: Deep Water
Deep Water by William Douglas is an autobiographical excerpt from his book Of Men and Mountains. It narrates his lifelong fear of water, stemming from two near-drowning incidents in his childhood, and his resolute determination to conquer this phobia through rigorous training with an instructor. For Odisha BSE Class 12 students, this chapter holds immense importance in board exams as it teaches valuable lessons on perseverance, overcoming fear, and the triumph of the human spirit over psychological barriers. Questions frequently test students' understanding of the theme, the psychological impact of fear, and Douglas's step-by-step recovery process.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Childhood Aversion to Water
Douglas developed a deep-rooted fear of water at age three when knocked down by waves at a California beach, and later at age ten when a miscreant tossed him into the deep end of the YMCA pool.
The Near-Drowning Incident
Trapped underwater in the YMCA pool, Douglas planned a strategy to bounce off the bottom, but his efforts failed, leading to near-suffocation and panic before losing consciousness.
Psychological Aftermath
The terror haunted Douglas for years, ruining his fishing trips, canoeing, and swimming pleasures, acting as a constant handicap in his adult life.
Overcoming the Fear
Determined to conquer his phobia at age ten, Douglas hired a professional swimming instructor who meticulously trained him piece by piece over several months.
Roosevelt's Philosophy
Douglas found inspiration in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's words, 'All we have to fear is fear itself,' realizing that facing terror brings ultimate liberation.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Odisha (BSE) Class 12 English board examinations, 'Deep Water' typically carries around 6 to 8 marks. Common question types include long-answer questions based on the central theme and character psychology, short-answer questions about the YMCA pool incident, and reference-to-context questions from extracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Douglas choose the YMCA pool and not the Yakima River?
Douglas considered the Yakima River treacherous because many people had drowned there, whereas the YMCA pool was relatively safe with a shallow end of only two or three feet.
How did the instructor make Douglas a good swimmer?
The instructor used a belt attached to a rope over an overhead cable, teaching Douglas to breathe while swimming, kick with his legs, and practice various strokes piece by piece over months.
What lesson did Douglas draw from his experience of drowning?
Douglas learned that terror only exists in our fear of it, and in death there is peace; only the fear of death is terrifying, which can be conquered through strong will.
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