Deep water is about the writer’s (William Douglas) journey of overcoming the fear of water. which is deeply rooted in him since childhood. The author started fearing water since the age of four. It starts when he was visiting California with his father. He visits a beach where a wave knocks him down and sweeps over him. This terrifies the author, although the father laughs at this knowing it was no danger. However, this experience terrifies him and develops a fear of water. After that, when the author is 11 years old, he experiences another incident which escalates his fear. He is at Y.M.C.A. swimming pool in Yakima, trying to learn swimming. On one fine day, bully decides to pull dangerous prank. He pushes him in to the pool. He sank to the bottom—nine feet deep—and struggled desperately to hold on to something, overwhelmed by panic and fear. Moreover, he yells for help but he starts feeling paralyzed and only his heart was moving now. Thus, he gives up and readies himself to die but wakes up at and side of the pool. However, the terror he experiences while drowning never goes away. he enrols himself in a swimming class and tries to learn from the instructor. The instructor teaches him many tips and tricks for swimming. He begins with the inhaling and exhaling part then he practices it for many weeks. Furthermore, he moves on to the kicking the legs on the side of pool. Finally, he combines all this with the final move of swimming. Although the author knows how to swim, he is still terrified of water. Thus, in order to get rid of the fear, he decides to confront it. He mocks it by thinking what can it really does. Consequently, he plunges in to the water and to his surprise, his fear goes away. He faced it in many places and at last, manages to conquer it.
Intro of “Deep Water”
Deep Water Summary
Character Sketch of William Douglas
When he was 11 years old, something happened that made his fear even worse. A big boy pushed him into the swimming pool. He reaches nine feet into the water and starts struggling hard to grab something. After that, he hired an instructor to learn swimming. The instructor taught him how to swim. After a lot of practice, he learned swimming and overcame his fear of water. This marks him as a disciplined and strong-willed person. Douglas is also thoughtful and reflective, often analyzing his emotions and experiences deeply.
Important points to Remember
Deep water is about the writer’s (William Douglas) journey of overcoming the fear of water.
The author started fearing water since the age of four.
He is at Y.M.C.A. swimming pool in Yakima, trying to learn swimming. On one fine day, bully decides to pull dangerous prank.
He hired an instructor to learn swimming.
After a lot of practice, he learned swimming and overcame his fear of water.
Douglas is also thoughtful and reflective, often analyzing his emotions and experiences deeply.
