3. Deep Water - Prose - Class 12 -Flamingo

BhashaLab
Jul 15
4 min read

Updated: Jul 16

Author: William Douglas

Flamingo – Prose (Autobiographical Narrative)

Summary

“Deep Water” is a powerful autobiographical account by William O. Douglas that captures his childhood experience of nearly drowning in a swimming pool and how he overcame that intense fear through determination and perseverance. As a young boy, Douglas was thrown into the deep end of a YMCA pool by an older boy. The incident left him traumatised and with a deep-seated phobia of water. Every attempt to approach water thereafter was overshadowed by this haunting fear. The narrative vividly describes the sensations of drowning — the struggle, the terror, and the helplessness — all of which took a psychological toll on him. Years later, Douglas decided to conquer this fear with the help of a swimming instructor. Through rigorous training, practice, and confronting the fear multiple times, he eventually succeeded. His story serves as a testimony to human willpower and courage. He concludes with a reflection that in death there is peace, but fear of death is what truly haunts the mind. The experience taught him the deeper meaning of life and reinforced his resolve to live fearlessly.

Character Sketch:

William Douglas

William Douglas is portrayed as a sensitive and introspective individual who carries the trauma of a near-drowning experience from his childhood. He is also determined and courageous, as shown by his persistent efforts to overcome his fear of water. Despite repeated relapses into panic, he does not give up and eventually triumphs over his psychological barrier. His transformation from a frightened boy to a fearless swimmer reveals his inner strength, resilience, and ability to turn fear into empowerment.

Themes

Theme	Description
Fear and Its Consequences	The story shows how a single event can cause long-lasting trauma and phobia.
Courage and Determination	Overcoming fear is possible through consistent effort and mental strength.
Triumph of the Human Spirit	The narrative celebrates victory over internal demons through self-will.
Psychological Struggle	The account dives into the mental turmoil and emotional intensity of phobia.
Importance of Mentorship	The role of the instructor highlights how guidance aids in personal growth.

✨ Literary Devices

Device	Example
First-person narrative	Entire story is told in the “I” voice, increasing emotional intensity.
Imagery	“My head throbbed. I was getting dizzy.” Descriptive sensory details.
Metaphor	“Curtain of life fell” symbolising unconsciousness.
Repetition	“I went down, down, endlessly” intensifies the sense of fear.
Personification	“Terror that knows no control” gives fear human-like power.
Symbolism	Water represents both life and danger.

Title Justification

The title “Deep Water” is both literal and metaphorical. Literally, it refers to the swimming pool where Douglas nearly drowned, but metaphorically, it represents the depth of fear that haunted him for years. The narrative explores the psychological "deep water" of phobia and the journey to rise above it. The title succinctly encapsulates the central conflict — facing one’s deepest fear and conquering it.

One-Mark Questions

What was the misadventure William Douglas faced at the YMCA pool?
He was thrown into the deep end by an older boy, leading to a near-drowning experience. This incident left him traumatised and fearful of water.
Why did Douglas avoid the Yakima River?
His mother had warned him repeatedly about its dangerous currents, and he had heard about several drownings there.
How did Douglas feel when he was drowning?
He experienced stark, uncontrollable terror, felt paralysed, and thought he was going to die.
What helped Douglas start swimming again?
He hired an instructor and practiced diligently, learning basic techniques and confronting his fear repeatedly.
What lesson did Douglas learn from this experience?
He learned that fear is more dangerous than the object feared and that with determination, fear can be conquered.

Three-Mark Questions

Describe the series of events that led to Douglas's fear of water.
Douglas first developed a fear of water when waves knocked him over at the beach as a toddler. The fear was reinforced when an older boy at the YMCA pool tossed him into the deep end, and he nearly drowned. These experiences created a deep-rooted phobia that followed him into adulthood.
How did the swimming instructor help Douglas overcome his fear?The instructor used a belt and pulley system to train Douglas in a controlled environment. He gradually taught him breathing techniques, leg movements, and strokes. Over time, Douglas gained confidence and was able to confront and reduce his fear of water.
Why did Douglas decide to swim across Lake Wentworth and Warm Lake?Though he had learned to swim, he still had lingering doubts. Swimming in open waters like Lake Wentworth and Warm Lake was his way of testing and ensuring that his fear was truly conquered.

Value-Based Question

Question:What does Douglas's story teach us about facing our fears and the importance of persistence?

Answer:Douglas’s story teaches us that fear is often a mental construct, and with courage and consistent effort, we can overcome even the deepest phobias. His determination to face his fear of water — despite repeated setbacks — reflects the power of human will. The experience also conveys that real freedom and joy lie in breaking free from our internal limitations. His journey inspires readers to not be defeated by fear but to confront it with persistence and resilience.

End

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