NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo: Chapter 10 — Deep Water
This chapter, 'Deep Water' from NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo, is an excerpt from William Douglas's 'Of Men and Mountains'. It details 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. Douglas recounts his initial aversion to water and the gradual steps he took to overcome his fear, contrasting the safety of the pool with the treacherous nature of the Yakima River. The chapter explores the psychological impact of fear and the process of confronting and conquering it, using autobiographical elements to support his broader discussion on overcoming phobias. This lesson helps students understand the nature of fear and the importance of perseverance in facing challenges, crucial for their CBSE English studies.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Flamingo |
| Chapter | Chapter 10 — 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 and trauma.
- Analyze how personal experiences shape one's perspective.
- Identify the strategies used to overcome phobias.
- Appreciate the literary style of autobiographical writing.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| treacherous | dangerous and unpredictable, especially due to being unstable or hidden dangers. |
| misadventure | an unlucky or unfortunate event, especially one that causes damage or injury. |
| subdued my pride | overcame my feelings of self-importance or dignity. |
| bob to the surface like a cork | float upwards quickly and repeatedly, similar to how a cork behaves in water. |
| flailed at the surface | moved arms and legs around wildly and helplessly on the water's surface. |
| curtain of life fell | a metaphor for losing consciousness or life. |
| fishing for landlocked salmon | an activity involving catching a type of fish that lives in freshwater lakes. |
| back and forth across the pool | moving from one side of the swimming pool to the other repeatedly. |
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Practice questions
- What was the author's initial fear related to? Answer: The author's initial fear was related to water, stemming from a near-drowning incident when he was young.
- Why did the author choose the Y.M.C.A. pool? Answer: He chose the Y.M.C.A. pool because it was considered safe, unlike the treacherous Yakima River.
- What was the depth of the Y.M.C.A. pool? Answer: The pool was two or three feet deep at the shallow end and nine feet deep at the other end, with a gradual drop.
- What does 'subdued my pride' mean in the context of the story? Answer: It means the author overcame his embarrassment or self-consciousness about his skinny legs to enter the pool.
Practice MCQs
Q1. At what age did William Douglas decide to learn to swim?
Explanation: The text explicitly states, 'It had happened when I was ten or eleven years old. I had decided to learn to swim.'
Q2. What was the name of the river mentioned as treacherous?
Explanation: The author's mother continually warned him against the Yakima River, calling it treacherous.
Q3. Where was the Y.M.C.A. pool located?
Explanation: The text mentions, 'There was a pool at the Y.M.C.A. in Yakima that offered exactly the opportunity.'
Q4. What was the author's initial feeling about entering the pool?
Explanation: The author states, 'I hated to walk naked into it and show my skinny legs. But I subdued my pride and did it.'
Q5. What does the excerpt reveal about William Douglas?
Explanation: The excerpt focuses on his childhood fear of water and his efforts to overcome it, as stated in the 'About the author' section.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of 'Deep Water'?
The author is William Douglas, a former Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
What is the main theme of the chapter 'Deep Water'?
The main theme is the author's struggle with and eventual conquest of his fear of water.
What incident led to Douglas's fear of water?
A near-drowning incident at the Y.M.C.A. pool when he was ten or eleven years old.
Why did Douglas choose the Y.M.C.A. pool instead of the Yakima River?
The Yakima River was dangerous ('treacherous'), while the Y.M.C.A. pool was safe with a gradual depth.
What does the author mean by 'subdued my pride'?
He means he overcame his embarrassment about his skinny legs to enter the pool.
What does the excerpt reveal about William Douglas's career?
It mentions he was a lawyer, an adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the longest-serving Justice in the U.S. Supreme Court.
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NCERT Class 12 English — Flamingo — Chapter 10 — Deep Water. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.