a big boy threw Douglas into the swimming pool. How did this experience affect Douglas
Answers
This question is from chapter Deep Water by William Douglas n the book Flamingo.
The author, Willilam Douglas had gone to YMCA pool to learn swimming to overcome his childhood fear. However, a mishap happened that further deepened his fear. The narrator was sitting alone on the edge of the pool; a big muscular boy came and threw him into the pool. Douglas did not know swimming; he almost drowned. If the muscular boy had not saved him, Douglas could have drowned.
The drowning incident at the pool had many short and long-term consequences on Douglas. The short-term consequences such as weakness, trembling, sickness, haunting fear of water, etc.
As time elapsed, these consequences took the shape of more sinister and deeply ingrained fears. Douglas developed a perennial aversion to water; the very sight of a water body such as a lake, river, water fall, etc. made him petrified. When he accompanied his friends to any picnic spot, he would stay on shore, while his friends enjoyed the water sports and recreational activities. Douglas felt terribly scared and bad about it. This humiliation gave birth to a strong desire to overcome his fear of water.
Answer:
A boy of about eighteen years of age threw William Douglas into the YMCA pool. The boy happened to be a healthy person with thick hair on his chest. He had rippling muscles in his legs and arms and a beautiful physique.