Deep Water

By William Douglas

William O. Douglas (1898–1980) was an American jurist and Supreme Court Justice, known for his progressive views and dedication to individual rights and environmental conservation. Apart from his legal work, he wrote extensively about his life and experiences, including his struggles and personal growth.

“Deep Water” is an autobiographical story by Douglas, which recounts his intense fear of water and his journey to overcome it. After a near-drowning experience in childhood, he developed a deep-seated fear. Through determination and perseverance, he eventually conquered this fear, finding both physical and emotional resilience. The story serves as an inspiring tale about facing fears and overcoming personal challenges.

Q: What is the “misadventure” that William Douglas speaks about?

Ans. The “misadventure” William Douglas speaks about occurred when he was ten or eleven years old. He was trying to learn swimming at the YMCA swimming pool in Yakima. A bigger boy, about 18 years old, picked Douglas up and tossed him into the pool’s deep end. Douglas was not a good swimmer and did not know how to swim in deep water, which caused him to panic and almost drown.

Q: What were the series of emotions and fears that Douglas experienced when he was thrown into the pool? What plans did he make to come to the surface?

Ans. When Douglas was thrown into the pool, he experienced a surge of emotions and fears, including sheer terror, panic, and helplessness. He was in a state of shock initially but tried to remain calm. He devised a plan to hit the bottom of the pool with his feet and then make a big jump to propel himself to the surface. However, his plan did not work as expected. He attempted it several times, but each time, he felt himself sinking further, which only increased his fear.

Q: How did this experience affect him?

Ans. This experience had a profound effect on Douglas, leaving him with a deep-seated fear of water. The near-drowning incident haunted him for years, preventing him from enjoying any water-related activities like swimming, canoeing, or fishing. The fear followed him even when he was near a bathtub or in a rainstorm. It paralyzed him and filled him with terror whenever he was near water.

Q: Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?

Ans. Douglas was determined to get over his fear of water because he felt humiliated and crippled by his irrational fear. He realized that his fear was limiting his life and preventing him from enjoying various activities. He was also inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s statement, “All we have to fear is fear itself,” which motivated him to conquer this deep-rooted fear and live a fuller life.

Q: How did the instructor “build a swimmer” out of Douglas?

Ans. Douglas hired an instructor to help him learn to swim and overcome his fear. The instructor took a methodical approach to teach him how to swim. He put a bet around Douglas, attached to a rope, and helped him float in the pool while he was pulled back and forth. The instructor taught him how to put his face underwater, exhale, and inhale. Gradually, over several months, Douglas was taught different strokes such as the crawl, breaststroke, side stroke, and backstroke. This process helped Douglas regain his confidence in water, step by step.

Q: How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?

Ans. After the instructor finished training him, Douglas still felt residual fear when he swam alone. To conquer his old terror fully, he decided to challenge himself further. He swam across various lakes, including Lake Wentworth and Warm Lake. Each time, he faced his fear head-on. By swimming long distances and in different water bodies, he tested his courage repeatedly until he felt confident that his fear had been entirely vanquished.

Q: 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.

Ans. Douglas uses vivid imagery and detailed descriptions to convey his sense of panic. He describes the feeling of his lungs ready to burst, the sense of suffocation as water filled his mouth and nose, and the uncontrollable thrashing and struggles as he tried to reach the surface. His description of his body becoming stiff and his mind becoming numb with terror makes the reader feel the intensity of his fear. Phrases like “icy horror” and “paralyzed under water” help the reader visualize the grip of panic that held him.

Q: How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?

Ans. Douglas overcame his fear of water through a combination of professional training, determination, and self-imposed challenges. The systemic training from the instructor helped him learn to swim confidently. Later, he challenged himself by swimming in different water bodies, facing his fear repeatedly until he felt comfortable and in control. The key was his persistence and desire to not be paralyzed by fear any longer.

Q: 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?

Ans. Douglas recounts this experience to illustrate how fear can cripple a person and limit their experiences. By sharing his story of overcoming this fear, he conveys the message that fear itself is often more paralyzing than the actual danger. The larger meaning he draws is that one must confront one’s fear with determination and resolve because overcoming fear can lead to personal growth, freedom, and self-empowerment.

Q: “All we have to fear is fear itself”. Have you ever had a fear that you have now overcome?

Ans. Almost all of us have our fears. Some fear heights, others fear water. The fear of public speaking and fear of the unknown are among the most common. I used to have a fear of public speaking. I still remember the first time I conducted a class after completing my degree – I was incredibly nervous. As I walked through the classroom door, my anxiety reached its peak. The class was full of girls and when I asked them to open their books, my voice trembled and my knees shook like a fragile sapling in a storm. However, with consistent practice and by following strategies to overcome the fear of public speaking, I managed to conquer it.