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EnglishClass 12Deep Water About the author

Deep Water About the author | Class 12 English Notes

By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 4 min read

Deep Water About the author – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Deep Water About the author from Class 12 English, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.

About the author

This section introduces William O. Douglas, the author of the essay 'Deep Water.' Born in 1898 in Maine, Minnesota, Douglas had a diverse academic and professional background. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Economics and initially worked as a high school teacher in Yakima. However, he soon shifted his career path towards law. Douglas studied at Yale, where he met Franklin D. Roosevelt, becoming an adviser and close friend to the President. His legal career was distinguished by his strong advocacy for individual rights. He served as a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court for thirty-six years, retiring in 1975, and remains the longest-serving Justice in the Court's history. The excerpt from his book 'Of Men and Mountains' recounts a personal childhood experience of nearly drowning, which shaped his lifelong fear of water and his eventual triumph over it. The autobiographical narrative supports his broader discussion on fear, illustrating how deeply personal experiences can influence one's psychological state and growth.

📊 Diagram: No diagrams are present in this section.

🧪 Activity: Students are encouraged to infer meanings of words and expressions from context, such as 'treacherous,' 'subdued my pride,' and 'flailed at the surface.'

🔗 Connection: Leads into the narrative of Douglas's childhood experience with water and his fear, setting the stage for the detailed recount of his near-drowning and subsequent struggle.

Frequently asked questions

1. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water? 2. How did the instructor "build a swimmer" out of Douglas? 3. How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?

1. Douglas was determined to get over his fear of water because the terror of drowning had gripped him since childhood, and he wanted to overcome this paralyzing fear to be able to swim confidently and safely.

2. The instructor "built a swimmer" out of Douglas by breaking down the process into small, manageable steps. First, he held Douglas on the rope and helped him get used to going under water repeatedly, teaching him to exhale underwater and inhale above water. Then he had Douglas practice

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. 2. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water? 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?

1. Douglas makes the sense of panic vivid by describing how his legs froze each time he went under water, how the old terror seized him repeatedly, and how it took three months before the tension began to slack. He uses phrases like "bit of the panic seized me" and "tiny vestiges of the old terror would return" to convey the ongoing struggle.

2. Douglas overcame his fear by gradual exposure and systematic learning. The instructor helped him get used to water by holding him on a rope, teaching h

1. "All we have to fear is fear itself". Have you ever had a fear that you have now overcome? Share your experience with your partner. 2. Find and narrate other stories about conquest of fear and what people have said about courage. For example, you can recall Nelson Mandela's struggle for freedom, his perseverance to achieve his mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor as depicted in his autobiography. The story We're Not Afraid To Die, which you have read in Class XI, is an apt example of how courage and optimism helped a family survive under the direst stress.

1. (Sample answer) Yes, I had a fear of public speaking. Initially, I would get very nervous and stumble over my words. But gradually, with practice and encouragement from teachers and friends, I overcame this fear and now I can speak confidently in front of an audience.

2. (Sample answer) Nelson Mandela's story is a powerful example of conquering fear. Despite being imprisoned for 27 years, he never gave up hope and courageously fought for freedom and equality. Similarly, the story 'We're Not

If someone else had narrated Douglas's experience, how would it have differed from this account? Write out a sample paragraph or paragraphs from this text from the point of view of a third person or observer, to find out which style of narration would you consider to be more effective? Why?

A third-person narration would describe Douglas's experience from an external viewpoint, focusing on his actions and emotions without the intimate access to his thoughts and feelings. For example: "Douglas was gripped by panic as he struggled in the water, his legs freezing each time he went under. The instructor patiently guided him, teaching him to breathe and kick. Over time, Douglas gained confidence and finally swam across the lake, conquering his fear."

This style is less personal and may

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