NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo: Chapter 3 — Deep Water
This chapter, 'Deep Water' from NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo, is an excerpt from William Douglas's 'Of Men and Mountains'. Douglas recounts his childhood fear of water, stemming from a near-drowning experience at the Y.M.C.A. pool in Yakima when he was ten or eleven. Despite the Yakima River being dangerous, the Y.M.C.A. pool initially seemed safe with its shallow and gradually deepening ends. Douglas describes his initial aversion to water and the embarrassment he felt showing his skinny legs. The chapter sets the stage for his exploration of overcoming his deep-seated fear of water, using his autobiographical experiences to discuss the nature of fear itself. It highlights how personal experiences shape our perceptions and challenges.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Flamingo |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 — Deep Water |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 376 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the psychological impact of fear, particularly aquaphobia.
- Analyze how personal experiences shape one's relationship with challenges.
- Appreciate the narrative style of autobiographical writing.
- Identify and understand new vocabulary related to fear and water.
- Discuss the theme of overcoming adversity.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| treacherous | full of danger or risk |
| misadventure | an unlucky or unfortunate incident |
| subdued my pride | overcame my embarrassment or self-importance |
| bob to the surface like a cork | float up quickly and repeatedly |
| flailed at the surface | moved arms and legs wildly and ineffectually |
| curtain of life fell | a metaphor for death or the end of consciousness |
| fishing for landlocked salmon | an activity done in specific freshwater environments |
| back and forth across the pool | moving from one side to the other repeatedly |
| aversion | a strong dislike or disinclination |
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Practice questions
- At what age did William Douglas decide to learn to swim? Answer: William Douglas decided to learn to swim when he was ten or eleven years old.
- Why did his mother warn him against the Yakima River? Answer: His mother warned him against the Yakima River because it was treacherous and had a history of drownings.
- What was the initial depth of the Y.M.C.A. pool at the shallow end? Answer: The Y.M.C.A. pool was only two or three feet deep at the shallow end.
- What did Douglas feel when he had to walk naked into the pool? Answer: Douglas felt embarrassed and subdued his pride because he had to show his skinny legs.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Where was the Y.M.C.A. pool located that William Douglas decided to learn swimming?
Explanation: The text explicitly states that the Y.M.C.A. pool was in Yakima.
Q2. What was the primary reason for Douglas's fear of water mentioned in the text?
Explanation: While other factors contributed, the text points to a near-drowning experience at age three or four as the origin of his aversion.
Q3. What does 'subdued my pride' imply in the context of entering the pool?
Explanation: Douglas felt embarrassed about his skinny legs but suppressed this feeling to enter the pool.
Q4. How deep was the Y.M.C.A. pool at its deepest end?
Explanation: The text mentions that the pool was nine feet deep at the other end.
Q5. Who was William Douglas an adviser and friend to?
Explanation: The text states he met Franklin D. Roosevelt at Yale and became his adviser and friend.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of 'Deep Water'?
The author of 'Deep Water' is William O. Douglas.
What is the main theme of the chapter 'Deep Water'?
The main theme is the author's struggle with and eventual overcoming of his fear of water (aquaphobia).
Where did William Douglas have his first significant water-related fear experience?
He had his first significant water-related fear experience at the Y.M.C.A. pool in Yakima when he was about ten or eleven years old.
What made the Yakima River dangerous according to the author's mother?
According to the author's mother, the Yakima River was treacherous and had a history of drownings.
What does the excerpt reveal about William Douglas's career?
The excerpt reveals that William Douglas was a lawyer and served as a Justice on the Supreme Court, advocating for individual rights.
What does the phrase 'curtain of life fell' suggest?
The phrase 'curtain of life fell' suggests the moment of losing consciousness or facing death.
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NCERT Class 12 English — Flamingo — Chapter 3 — Deep Water. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.