MP Board 12th English Flemingo DeepWater by William Douglas

MP Board 12th English Flemingo DeepWater by William Douglas

📖 Deep Water

Author: William O. Douglas Genre: Autobiographical narrative Theme: Overcoming fear, determination and self-confidence

🔍 About the Author

William O. Douglas (1898–1980) was a prominent American judge and served on the U.S. Supreme Court for over three decades. He was also an avid nature lover and author. In Deep Water he recalls a personal incident to show how fear can be conquered through willpower and persistence.

👤 Main Characters

• Narrator (William Douglas): A young boy who struggles with an intense fear of water
• The bully: A bigger boy who pushes Douglas into the pool (symbolic of unexpected life challenges)
• Instructor: The person who later teaches Douglas to swim and helps him overcome his fear

📚 Summary (Briefly)

As a child, Douglas feared water after a wave knocked him down at the beach. Later, at age 10–11 he tried to learn swimming at the YMCA pool. One day a big boy pushed him into the deep end and he nearly drowned. This trauma left a lasting fear of water in him.

Years later, determined to live fearlessly, Douglas hired a swimming instructor. The instructor trained him step by step using different techniques. Though he learned to swim, he still had lingering fear. So, Douglas kept testing himself in lakes and rivers until the fear fully vanished.

🌟 Themes and Message

• Fear is deeply psychological, but it can be defeated.
• Willpower and consistent effort help overcome even deep-rooted trauma.
• True freedom means being free from fear.

✍️ Moral of the Story

The story teaches that fear is only as powerful as we let it be. With determination and courage, even the deepest fears can be conquered.

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Questions and Answers of Deep Water by William Douglas

1. What is the “misadventure” that William Douglas speaks about?
   o The “misadventure” refers to the incident when William Douglas was thrown into the deep end of a swimming pool by a big boy while he was trying to learn to swim. This unexpected event led to a near-drowning experience that deeply frightened him.
   o “दुर्घटना” उस घटना को संदर्भित करती है जब विलियम डगलस को तैरना सीखने के दौरान एक बड़े लड़के ने उन्हें स्विमिंग पूल के गहरे हिस्से में फेंक दिया। इस अप्रत्याशित घटना ने उन्हें लगभग डूबने के अनुभव से गहराई से डराया।
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?
   o Douglas experienced a range of emotions and fears when he was thrown into the pool, including initial fright, panic, and sheer terror. He felt suffocated and struggled to breathe. His initial plan was to jump from the bottom of the pool to reach the surface and paddle to the edge. However, his attempts were unsuccessful, and he kept sinking back into the water.
   o डगलस ने पूल में फेंके जाने पर विभिन्न भावनाओं और भय का अनुभव किया, जिनमें प्रारंभिक भय, घबराहट और तीव्र आतंक शामिल थे। उन्होंने दम घुटने का अनुभव किया और सांस लेने के लिए संघर्ष किया। उनकी प्रारंभिक योजना थी कि वह पूल के तल से कूदकर सतह तक पहुंचे और किनारे तक तैरें। हालांकि, उनके प्रयास असफल रहे और वे पानी में वापस डूबते रहे।
3. How did this experience affect him?
   o This near-drowning experience had a profound impact on Douglas, leaving him with a deep-seated fear of water that haunted him for many years. It created a sense of helplessness and terror that he struggled to overcome. The incident made him determined to conquer his fear, which he eventually did through persistence and courage.
   o इस लगभग डूबने के अनुभव ने डगलस पर गहरा प्रभाव छोड़ा, जिससे उन्हें कई वर्षों तक पानी का गहरा भय बना रहा। इससे उनके अंदर असहायता और आतंक की भावना उत्पन्न हुई जिसे उन्होंने संघर्ष करके दूर करने का प्रयास किया। इस घटना ने उन्हें अपने डर को जीतने के लिए दृढ़ संकल्पित कर दिया, जिसे उन्होंने अंततः दृढ़ता और साहस के माध्यम से जीता।
4. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?
   o Douglas was determined to get over his fear of water because it had haunted him for many years and prevented him from enjoying activities such as swimming, canoeing, and fishing. He wanted to reclaim his life and conquer the paralyzing fear that had a significant impact on his experiences and opportunities.
   o डगलस ने पानी के डर पर काबू पाने का दृढ़ संकल्प किया था क्योंकि यह कई वर्षों तक उनका पीछा करता रहा और उन्हें तैराकी, नौकायन और मछली पकड़ने जैसी गतिविधियों का आनंद लेने से रोकता रहा। वह अपने जीवन को फिर से पाना चाहते थे और उस पंगु कर देने वाले डर को जीतना चाहते थे जिसने उनके अनुभवों और अवसरों पर महत्वपूर्ण प्रभाव डाला था।
5. How did the instructor “build a swimmer” out of Douglas?
   o The instructor used a systematic and gradual approach to help Douglas overcome his fear and learn to swim. He started with basic exercises, such as using a belt and pulley system to move Douglas across the pool, teaching him to exhale underwater and inhale above water, and helping him practice kicking his legs. Over time, these small steps helped Douglas build confidence and skills, eventually allowing him to swim independently.
   o प्रशिक्षक ने डगलस को उसके डर को दूर करने और तैराकी सीखने में मदद करने के लिए एक व्यवस्थित और क्रमिक दृष्टिकोण का उपयोग किया। उन्होंने बुनियादी अभ्यासों के साथ शुरुआत की, जैसे कि एक बेल्ट और पुली प्रणाली का उपयोग करके डगलस को पूल के पार ले जाना, पानी के नीचे सांस छोड़ना और पानी के ऊपर सांस लेना सिखाना, और उसे अपने पैरों को किक करने का अभ्यास करने में मदद करना। समय के साथ, इन छोटे कदमों ने डगलस को आत्मविश्वास और कौशल बनाने में मदद की, अंततः उसे स्वतंत्र रूप से तैरने की अनुमति दी।
6. How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?
   o To ensure that he had conquered his old terror, Douglas continuously tested himself in various water bodies, including pools, lakes, and rivers. He swam different strokes, dived into deep waters, and faced his fears head-on. By repeatedly challenging himself and confronting his fear, he gradually overcame it and regained his confidence in the water.
   o यह सुनिश्चित करने के लिए कि उसने अपने पुराने डर पर विजय प्राप्त कर ली है, डगलस ने खुद को विभिन्न जल निकायों में लगातार परीक्षण किया, जिसमें पूल, झीलें और नदियाँ शामिल थीं। उन्होंने विभिन्न स्ट्रोक तैराकी की, गहरे पानी में गोता लगाया, और अपने डर का सामना किया। खुद को बार-बार चुनौती देकर और अपने डर का सामना करके, उन्होंने इसे धीरे-धीरे दूर कर लिया और पानी में अपना आत्मविश्वास पुनः प्राप्त कर लिया।
   Understanding the text
7. 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.
   o Douglas makes clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned by vividly describing his physical sensations and emotional turmoil. He details the initial shock of being thrown into the water, the suffocating feeling as he struggled to breathe, and the overwhelming terror as he repeatedly sank and resurfaced. He uses phrases like “a mass of yellow water held me” and “sheer, stark terror seized me” to convey the intensity of his fear. His description of his physical reactions, such as his legs becoming paralyzed and his heart pounding, along with his mental state, where he felt like he was losing control, makes the experience palpable and relatable to the reader.
   o डगलस अपने लगभग डूबने के अनुभव को स्पष्ट रूप से वर्णन करके पाठक को यह समझाते हैं कि उस पर कैसी घबराहट छा गई थी। वह पानी में फेंके जाने के शुरुआती झटके, सांस लेने के संघर्ष के दौरान घुटन और बार-बार डूबने और उभरने के दौरान अपार भय को स्पष्ट रूप से वर्णन करते हैं। वह “पीले पानी की एक बड़ी मात्रा मुझे पकड़े हुए थी” और “शुद्ध, स्पष्ट आतंक ने मुझे जकड़ लिया” जैसे वाक्यांशों का उपयोग करके अपने डर की तीव्रता को व्यक्त करते हैं। उनके शारीरिक प्रतिक्रियाओं का वर्णन, जैसे कि उनके पैर पंगु हो जाना और उनका दिल जोर-जोर से धड़कना, और उनकी मानसिक अवस्था, जहां उन्हें लगा कि वह नियंत्रण खो रहे हैं, इस अनुभव को पाठक के लिए सहज और संबंधित बनाते हैं।
8. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?
   o Douglas overcame his fear of water through a systematic and persistent approach with the help of an instructor. He practiced regularly, starting with basic exercises like moving across the pool using a belt and pulley system, learning to exhale underwater and inhale above water, and gradually building his confidence. The instructor’s methodical training and Douglas’s determination helped him shed his panic bit by bit. He continued to challenge himself by swimming in different water bodies, facing his fear head-on until he was confident and free from the terror that once gripped him.
   o डगलस ने प्रशिक्षक की मदद से एक व्यवस्थित और निरंतर दृष्टिकोण के माध्यम से अपने पानी के डर पर काबू पाया। उन्होंने नियमित रूप से अभ्यास किया, जैसे कि बेल्ट और पुली प्रणाली का उपयोग करके पूल के पार जाना, पानी के नीचे सांस छोड़ना और पानी के ऊपर सांस लेना सीखना, और धीरे-धीरे अपने आत्मविश्वास का निर्माण करना। प्रशिक्षक के व्यवस्थित प्रशिक्षण और डगलस के दृढ़ संकल्प ने उन्हें धीरे-धीरे अपने घबराहट को कम करने में मदद की। उन्होंने विभिन्न जल निकायों में तैराकी करके खुद को चुनौती देना जारी रखा, जब तक कि वह आत्मविश्वास और उस आतंक से मुक्त नहीं हो गए जिसने कभी उन्हें जकड़ लिया था।
9. Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of terror and his conquering of it? What larger meaning does he draw from this experience?
   o Douglas recounts his childhood experience of terror and his conquering of it to illustrate the profound impact it had on his life and to highlight the universal theme of overcoming fear. By sharing his personal journey, he emphasizes that fear itself is the greatest obstacle and that facing and conquering it can lead to personal growth and liberation. The larger meaning he draws from this experience is that the sensation of dying and the terror it brings can intensify one’s will to live. As Roosevelt famously said, “All we have to fear is fear itself,” Douglas’s experience reinforces this idea, showing that by confronting and overcoming our deepest fears, we can achieve a sense of freedom and peace.
   o डगलस अपने बचपन के आतंक के अनुभव और उसके ऊपर विजय प्राप्त करने के अनुभव को इसलिए बताते हैं ताकि यह दिखा सके कि इसका उनके जीवन पर गहरा प्रभाव पड़ा और डर को दूर करने के सार्वभौमिक विषय को उजागर कर सके। अपनी व्यक्तिगत यात्रा साझा करके, वह इस बात पर जोर देते हैं कि डर ही सबसे बड़ी बाधा है और इसका सामना करके और इसे जीतकर व्यक्तिगत विकास और मुक्ति प्राप्त की जा सकती है। इस अनुभव से वह यह बड़ा अर्थ निकालते हैं कि मरने की अनुभूति और इससे उत्पन्न आतंक किसी की जीने की इच्छा को तीव्र कर सकती है। जैसा कि रूजवेल्ट ने प्रसिद्ध रूप से कहा था, “हमें डरने के लिए केवल डर ही है,” डगलस का अनुभव इस विचार को मजबूत करता है, यह दिखाते हुए कि अपने सबसे गहरे डर का सामना करके और उन्हें जीतकर, हम स्वतंत्रता और शांति की भावना प्राप्त कर सकते हैं।

Additional Important Questions and Answers from “Deep Water”

1. Describe Douglas’s initial attempts to overcome his fear of water and the challenges he faced.
   o Initially, Douglas tried to overcome his fear of water by practicing in the pool with water wings and observing other boys to learn how to swim. Despite his efforts, he faced several challenges, including the lingering fear from his childhood experience of nearly drowning, which made him hesitant and anxious in the water. His progress was further hampered by an incident where a bully pushed him into the deep end of the pool, exacerbating his fear and creating a traumatic memory that took years to overcome.
   o प्रारंभ में, डगलस ने पानी के डर पर काबू पाने के लिए पानी के पंखों के साथ पूल में अभ्यास किया और तैराकी सीखने के लिए अन्य लड़कों को देखा। उनके प्रयासों के बावजूद, उन्हें अपने बचपन के लगभग डूबने के अनुभव से उत्पन्न डर के कारण कई चुनौतियों का सामना करना पड़ा, जिसने उन्हें पानी में हिचकिचाहट और चिंता से भर दिया। उनकी प्रगति को एक घटना ने और बाधित कर दिया, जहां एक बदमाश ने उन्हें पूल के गहरे हिस्से में धक्का दे दिया, जिससे उनका डर बढ़ गया और उन्हें एक आघातजनक स्मृति पैदा हुई जिसे दूर करने में वर्षों लग गए।
2. What role did the instructor play in helping Douglas overcome his fear?
   o The instructor played a crucial role in helping Douglas overcome his fear by using a methodical and step-by-step approach to teach him swimming. The instructor used a belt and pulley system to move Douglas across the pool, allowing him to gradually build confidence and skills. He also taught Douglas to exhale underwater and inhale above water, helping him become comfortable with submersion. Through consistent practice and patient guidance, the instructor helped Douglas conquer his fear and become a proficient swimmer.
   o प्रशिक्षक ने डगलस को उनके डर को दूर करने में मदद करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई, जिसमें तैराकी सिखाने के लिए एक व्यवस्थित और क्रमबद्ध दृष्टिकोण का उपयोग किया गया। प्रशिक्षक ने डगलस को पूल के पार ले जाने के लिए एक बेल्ट और पुली प्रणाली का उपयोग किया, जिससे उन्हें धीरे-धीरे आत्मविश्वास और कौशल का निर्माण करने की अनुमति मिली। उन्होंने डगलस को पानी के नीचे सांस छोड़ना और पानी के ऊपर सांस लेना सिखाया, जिससे वह डुबकी में सहज हो सके। लगातार अभ्यास और धैर्यपूर्ण मार्गदर्शन के माध्यम से, प्रशिक्षक ने डगलस को उनके डर पर काबू पाने और एक कुशल तैराक बनने में मदद की।
3. What lessons did Douglas learn from his experience with fear and how did they impact his life?
   o Douglas learned that fear itself is the greatest obstacle and that facing and overcoming it can lead to personal growth and a sense of liberation. His experience taught him the importance of persistence, courage, and determination. By confronting his fear of water and eventually conquering it, Douglas developed a stronger will to live and a greater appreciation for life’s challenges. This experience had a profound impact on his life, enabling him to approach other fears and obstacles with confidence and resilience.
   o डगलस ने सीखा कि डर ही सबसे बड़ी बाधा है और इसका सामना करके और इसे जीतकर व्यक्तिगत विकास और मुक्ति की भावना प्राप्त की जा सकती है। उनके अनुभव ने उन्हें निरंतरता, साहस और दृढ़ संकल्प के महत्व को सिखाया। पानी के डर का सामना करके और अंततः इसे जीतकर, डगलस ने जीने की एक मजबूत इच्छा और जीवन की चुनौतियों के प्रति एक बड़ी सराहना विकसित की। इस अनुभव का उनके जीवन पर गहरा प्रभाव पड़ा, जिससे उन्हें अन्य डर और बाधाओं का आत्मविश्वास और सहनशीलता के साथ सामना करने में मदद मिली।
   Additional Important Short Questions and Answers from “Deep Water”
4. What memory from Douglas’s childhood contributed to his fear of water?
   o When Douglas was three or four years old, he had a traumatic experience at the beach in California where a wave knocked him down and buried him under water, causing him to feel suffocated and terrified. This early experience contributed significantly to his lifelong fear of water.
5. Why did Douglas choose the YMCA swimming pool to learn swimming?
   o Douglas chose the YMCA swimming pool to learn swimming because it was safer compared to the treacherous Yakima River, which his mother warned him about. The pool had a shallow end that gradually deepened, making it an ideal place for beginners.
6. How did Douglas’s fear of water affect his daily life and activities?
   o Douglas’s fear of water profoundly affected his daily life and activities. He avoided swimming and other water-related activities, which prevented him from enjoying fishing, canoeing, and swimming. The fear also caused him anxiety and limited his ability to fully engage in recreational opportunities.
7. What strategy did Douglas initially plan to use to come to the surface when he was thrown into the pool?
   o Douglas planned to push off from the bottom of the pool with his feet, rise to the surface, lie flat on the water, and paddle to the edge. However, this plan failed when he panicked and could not execute it properly.
8. What role did the big boy who threw Douglas into the pool play in exacerbating his fear of water?
   o The big boy who threw Douglas into the pool played a crucial role in exacerbating his fear of water by causing him to have a near-drowning experience. This traumatic incident intensified Douglas’s existing fear and left a lasting impact on his psyche.
9. How did Douglas describe his feeling when he was on the verge of drowning?
   o Douglas described his feeling when he was on the verge of drowning as sheer, stark terror that seized him completely. He felt paralyzed, suffocated, and helpless, with his heart pounding and his mind filled with fear.
10. What lesson did Douglas learn from Roosevelt’s quote, “All we have to fear is fear itself”?
    o From Roosevelt’s quote, “All we have to fear is fear itself,” Douglas learned that fear itself is the most significant obstacle, and by confronting and overcoming it, one can achieve personal growth and liberation. This lesson became a guiding principle in his journey to conquer his fear of water.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers from “Deep Water”

1. Who is the author of the chapter “Deep Water”?
   • a) Robert Frost
   • b) William Douglas
   • c) Ernest Hemingway
   • d) Mark Twain
   • Answer: b) William Douglas
2. What was the name of the river that Douglas was warned about?
   • a) Hudson River
   • b) Yakima River
   • c) Mississippi River
   • d) Columbia River
   • Answer: b) Yakima River
3. Where did the incident that caused Douglas’s fear of water take place?
   • a) At a beach in California
   • b) At the YMCA swimming pool
   • c) At a lake in New Hampshire
   • d) In the Yakima River
   • Answer: b) At the YMCA swimming pool
4. How old was Douglas when he had the near-drowning experience at the YMCA pool?
   • a) Three or four years old
   • b) Ten or eleven years old
   • c) Fifteen or sixteen years old
   • d) Eighteen or nineteen years old
   • Answer: b) Ten or eleven years old
5. What did the big boy say after throwing Douglas into the pool?
   • a) “I was only fooling.”
   • b) “I’m sorry.”
   • c) “Let’s help him.”
   • d) “Are you okay?”
   • Answer: a) “I was only fooling.”
6. What method did the instructor use to help Douglas learn to swim?
   • a) He used a flotation device
   • b) He attached a belt and pulley system
   • c) He held Douglas’s hand while swimming
   • d) He used a swimming board
   • Answer: b) He attached a belt and pulley system
7. What sensation did Douglas experience when he almost drowned?
   • a) Calmness and peace
   • b) Sheer, stark terror
   • c) Joy and excitement
   • d) Confusion and uncertainty
   • Answer: b) Sheer, stark terror
8. Where did Douglas go to test if he had fully overcome his fear of water?
   • a) Yakima River
   • b) Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire
   • c) Pacific Ocean
   • d) Warm Lake in the Cascades
   • Answer: b) Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire
9. What lesson did Douglas learn from his experience of conquering his fear?
   • a) Fear is the only thing to fear
   • b) Swimming is easy
   • c) Fear cannot be overcome
   • d) Water is dangerous
   • Answer: a) Fear is the only thing to fear
10. What did Roosevelt mean by “All we have to fear is fear itself,” according to Douglas’s experience?
    • a) Fear should be ignored
    • b) Fear can be a source of motivation
    • c) Fear is the real obstacle
    • d) Fear makes life exciting
    • Answer: c) Fear is the real obstacle

Additional Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers from “Deep Water”

1. What did Douglas feel when he was lying beside the pool after nearly drowning?
   • a) Relief
   • b) Anger
   • c) Weakness and trembling
   • d) Happiness
   • Answer: c) Weakness and trembling
2. Why did Douglas have an aversion to water from a young age?
   • a) He had a fear of sharks
   • b) He had a traumatic experience at the beach
   • c) He did not know how to swim
   • d) He disliked the cold water
   • Answer: b) He had a traumatic experience at the beach
3. What did Douglas do after leaving the YMCA pool for several years?
   • a) He continued to swim regularly
   • b) He avoided water completely
   • c) He took swimming lessons
   • d) He went on fishing trips
   • Answer: b) He avoided water completely
4. What did Douglas experience during his first swim in Lake Wentworth?
   • a) He swam confidently without any fear
   • b) He had a panic attack
   • c) He felt a momentary return of his old terror
   • d) He could not swim at all
   • Answer: c) He felt a momentary return of his old terror
5. How did Douglas feel after conquering his fear of water?
   • a) Indifferent
   • b) Anxious
   • c) Joyful and triumphant
   • d) Confused
   • Answer: c) Joyful and triumphant
6. Which president’s quote does Douglas refer to when talking about fear?
   • a) Abraham Lincoln
   • b) Franklin D. Roosevelt
   • c) Theodore Roosevelt
   • d) John F. Kennedy
   • Answer: b) Franklin D. Roosevelt
7. Where did Douglas test his swimming skills after learning to swim from the instructor?
   • a) In the Yakima River
   • b) In the Pacific Ocean
   • c) In Lake Wentworth
   • d) In the Deschutes River
   • Answer: c) In Lake Wentworth
8. What was the main reason Douglas decided to learn swimming again after his traumatic experience?
   • a) He wanted to join a swimming competition
   • b) He wanted to overcome his fear and enjoy water activities
   • c) He was forced by his family
   • d) He had to swim for medical reasons
   • Answer: b) He wanted to overcome his fear and enjoy water activities