Chapter 3 of the CBSE Class 12 English Textbook – Flamingo includes a prose titled “Deep Water.” Deep Water is an extract from William Douglas’s book “Of Men and Mountains.” This section is a personal account where Douglas recounts his struggle with a deep-seated fear of water. This fear began during a childhood visit to the beach with his father. Determined to conquer this fear later in life, Douglas decided to learn swimming. However, during this attempt, he experienced a horrifying near-death incident that further intensified his fear. Despite this, the chapter highlights Douglas’s unwavering resolve to not let this fear control him.
Here, we provide a brief summary of the prose- Deep Water.
CBSE Class 12 English Deep Water Summary
The author recalls his journey to conquer his fear of water, starting from a traumatic incident at a California beach when he was very young. This experience left him with a deep fear of water. Later, around the age of ten or eleven, he opted to learn swimming at the Y.M.C.A pool instead of risking the Yakima River, where drownings were common. Despite his initial fear, he bravely confronted it at the pool, gaining newfound confidence in the process.
He started by paddling around in the water with his water wings, watching and copying the other boys who were swimming in the pool. One day, he arrived early and found himself alone, hesitant to enter the water without others around. Suddenly, a large, muscular eighteen-year old boy appeared and started harassing him, eventually throwing him into the pool. He plunged into the water sitting down and swallowed a considerable amount. As he struggled in the water, he formulated a plan to react once he hit the pool floor-he envisioned kicking off immediately upon contact.
When he touched the pool floor, the author kicked hard to rise up quickly. But instead of shooting up fast, he moved slowly and struggled to breathe. He tried to scream but couldn’t make a sound. When he finally reached the surface and took a breath, he sank again. His legs didn’t work as he tried to stay afloat. Panic set in, and he shouted, but it didn’t help. He had planned to jump off the pool floor and just reached the water’s surface when he started sinking once more.
Exhausted from his efforts, he slipped into unconsciousness. When he regained awareness, he heard voices around him. The boy who had thrown him into the water dismissed it as a joke, while another person remarked that the author had come dangerously close to death. When he returned home, he felt physically weak and emotionally rattled—so much so that even minor efforts upset him deeply.
Years later, he discovered that the terror from his Y.M.C.A pool experience still haunted him whenever he encountered other bodies of water. Overcome by fear, he often found himself unable to move his legs, robbing him of the pleasure of swimming and boating in serene waters. Despite attempting various methods to conquer this fear, it persisted relentlessly.
In October, the author made a determined choice to properly learn swimming, seeking guidance from a patient instructor who employed a methodical approach. Starting off, the instructor had the author practice swimming back and forth across the pool with a rope securely tied around him, which the instructor managed from the other end. Over the course of three months of diligent practice, the author progressed to mastering the technique of breathing underwater. These structured lessons gradually helped him confront and conquer his deep-seated fear of water. After completing a series of exercises where he practiced kicking water while supported at the pool’s edge, the instructor confidently declared to the author that he was now prepared to swim independently.
Despite receiving formal approval of his swimming skills from his instructor, the author remained uncertain. He continued to swim alone in a pool until July, Noticing lingering moments of fear. Dissatisfied with his progress, he challenged himself by swimming two miles across Lake Wentworth. During this endeavor, his fear resurfaced only one-when he submerged his face underwater in the middle of the lake.
Even though he had doubts, he decided to swim in Warm Lake. Much to his surprise, he effortlessly swam across to the opposite shore and back without any difficulty. He was overjoyed to realize that his fear of water had finally vanished. The author considers this experience very significant, describing it as something only those who have faced and overcome deep-seated fears can truly grasp. Quoting Roosevelt, he suggests that true peace comes from confronting our fears, emphasizing that the greatest fear of all should be the fear of fear itself.
Conclusion of Deep Water
In conclusion, the author learned to swim despite his fear of water. By practicing and facing challenges like swimming across Warm Lake, he conquered this fear. This experience taught him about courage and resilience. Overcoming deep-seated fears brought him peace and freedom. Quoting Roosevelt, he emphasized that the biggest fear to face is fear itself, showing the power of overcoming obstacles in life.
We trust that this summary of the CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo Prose, “Deep Water,” has provided you with a quick grasp of the chapter. Stay connected with GK Publications for the latest updates on CBSE and study materials. Explore sample papers and question papers from various years to enhance your preparation for the Board exams.
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