NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Flamingo English Chapter 3 Deep Water

Physics Wallah Academic Expert

September 03, 2024

Class 12 Flamingo English Chapter 3 Deep Water:- "Deep Water," an autobiographical narrative by William Douglas, explores the author's intense fear of water and his journey to overcome it. In this poignant chapter, Douglas recounts a traumatic childhood experience at a swimming pool that left him with a profound and lasting fear of water. Through vivid descriptions and personal reflections, Douglas details his struggle with this fear and his eventual triumph over it. The story delves into themes of courage, determination, and the transformative power of perseverance, illustrating how confronting and overcoming personal fears can lead to significant personal growth and achievement. Check out the NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Flamingo English Chapter 3 Deep Water below.

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Deep Water Class 12 Question Answers

Check out deep water questions and answers below:-

Understanding The Text:

1. 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.

Answer: Douglas vividly describes the overwhelming panic he experienced during a near-drowning incident at the Y.M.C.A. pool. While learning to swim, he faced a terrifying "misadventure" when a strong boy threw him into the pool. Despite his fear, Douglas initially felt confident that he would manage to escape the water. He planned to make a powerful jump as soon as his feet touched the bottom, expecting to rise to the surface and swim to safety. Although the pool was only 9 feet deep, Douglas perceived it as 90 feet deep due to his panic.

When his feet finally hit the bottom, Douglas attempted to push off and leap towards the surface, but his efforts were futile. Surrounded by murky yellowish water, he searched desperately for a rope, a ladder, or water wings, but found nothing. Choking and struggling to breathe, he tried to scream but was unable to make any sound. His head emerged briefly from the water, but his mouth remained submerged.

Desperate and flailing, Douglas felt his legs stiffen and become paralyzed, dragging him back towards the bottom of the pool. His lungs and legs throbbed with pain, and dizziness began to set in. Immobilized by fear and unable to call for help, Douglas was engulfed by a sense of helplessness as he fought to keep himself afloat.

2. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?

Answer: Douglas was resolute in his decision to overcome his fear of water, as it was obstructing him from enjoying activities such as boating, fishing, and canoeing. Recognising the importance of overcoming this fear, he dedicated several months to intensive swimming lessons. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, Douglas committed himself to rigorous practice sessions. The instructor emphasized the need for consistent effort, and Douglas diligently worked on mastering various swimming techniques.

Each day, Douglas spent hours perfecting his strokes and building his confidence in the water. Although he had not yet completed his swimming lessons, he noticed a gradual reduction in his anxiety. Eager to apply what he had learned, he began practising at different lakes, challenging himself to swim across from one shore to the other without any assistance.

This hands-on practice in natural settings helped Douglas further acclimate to the water and strengthen his swimming abilities. His dedication and perseverance allowed him to gain a sense of achievement and control, transforming his initial fear into newfound confidence and enjoyment in aquatic activities.

3. 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?

Answer: As an adult, Douglas reflects on a harrowing childhood experience and his eventual victory over it, emphasizing the profound personal significance it holds for him. He recounts a terrifying ordeal from his youth in which he faced near-drowning, an experience that left a lasting impact on him. Emerging from this ordeal, Douglas derives a deeper understanding of fear and courage.

The larger meaning Douglas extracts from this experience is the realization that fear often stems from the fear of death itself. Echoing Roosevelt’s famous assertion that “all we have to fear is the fear itself,” Douglas acknowledges that the terror he felt was rooted in the prospect of death. By confronting and surviving his fear, Douglas's desire to live and his appreciation for life became even more pronounced. This transformative experience not only allowed him to overcome his initial terror but also instilled in him a profound sense of resilience and a renewed commitment to embracing life fully.

4. What is the “misadventure ” that William Douglas speaks about?

Answer: The “misadventure” William Douglas refers to is a traumatic incident from his childhood at the Y.M.C.A. swimming pool. During a lesson, a strong boy threw Douglas into the deep end of the pool. Despite his initial confidence, Douglas found himself overwhelmed by fear and panic. He struggled to escape the water, feeling trapped and suffocated. This experience left him with a deep-seated fear of water, which affected him throughout his life until he eventually overcame it through persistent effort and swimming lessons.

5. 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?

Answer: When Douglas was thrown into the pool, he experienced intense fear, but he remained focused and composed enough to devise a plan. As he sank, he resolved to make a powerful jump when his feet touched the bottom. His strategy was to propel himself to the surface like a cork, then lie flat on the water and paddle towards the edge of the pool. Despite his growing anxiety, Douglas was determined to execute his plan and escape the water.

6. How did this experience affect him?

Answer: The experience profoundly impacted Douglas, leaving him with a deep-seated fear of water. The near-drowning incident at the swimming pool instilled a lasting sense of panic and apprehension whenever he encountered water. This fear influenced his avoidance of swimming and water-based activities throughout his life, making him anxious and uneasy around water. It was only through persistent effort and swimming lessons in later years that Douglas was able to confront and eventually overcome this fear, gaining confidence and a renewed appreciation for aquatic activities.

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7. How did the instructor “build a swimmer” out of Douglas?

Answer: The instructor methodically developed Douglas into a competent swimmer, addressing his fears step by step. For three months, Douglas was supported by a rope attached to the instructor's belt, as they moved back and forth across the pool. Each session triggered panic for Douglas, but the instructor remained patient.

Douglas learned essential techniques, such as submerging his face in the water, exhaling, and then lifting his nose to inhale. He practised kicking with his legs for several weeks until he became more relaxed and comfortable. After seven months of diligent training, the instructor finally asked Douglas to swim the entire length of the pool, marking a significant milestone in his swimming journey.

8. How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?

Answer: Douglas made sure he had conquered his old terror by continuously challenging himself. Even after his initial swimming lessons, he still experienced moments of fear when alone in the pool. To address these lingering fears, he forced himself to swim additional lengths of the pool, confronting and overcoming his anxiety each time.

Not fully satisfied with his progress, Douglas sought more significant tests. He travelled to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire, where he dived off a dock at Triggs Island and swam two miles across the lake. Despite these achievements, he still harboured residual doubts. To further affirm his triumph over fear, Douglas went to Meade Glacier, dove into Warm Lake, and swam across to the opposite shore and back. These challenging swims served as final proof of his victory over the terror that had once paralysed him.

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Deep Water Class 12 Summary

In "Deep Water," William Douglas recounts a traumatic experience from his childhood that left him with a deep-seated fear of water. The story begins with Douglas's childhood experiences at a swimming pool, where he was initially confident and eager to learn to swim.

However, a frightening incident occurred when he was about three or four years old. Douglas was taken to a pool by his father, where he attempted to swim but was overwhelmed by the water. Despite his father’s encouragement, the experience was traumatic, leaving him with a fear of water. This fear intensified over the years, affecting his ability to swim and enjoy water-based activities.

The narrative details Douglas’s ongoing struggle with this fear. He describes how he avoided swimming and water sports throughout his youth, feeling anxious and uneasy around water. His fear was further exacerbated by a near-drowning incident at a YMCA pool. During this event, Douglas was caught in a current, and although he managed to survive, the experience left him even more fearful.

Determined to overcome his fear, Douglas sought help from a swimming instructor. Through persistent effort and practice, he gradually learned to overcome his anxiety. The story concludes with Douglas successfully mastering swimming, which he describes as a triumph over his long-standing fear.

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