Of Men and Mountains: William O. Douglas

<p>The author has become unconscious and is on the verge of drowning. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To represent the complete loss of consciousness and awareness as the author approaches death. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The author associates their mother with comfort and safety, seeking solace in a moment of crisis. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To convey the escalating sense of panic and helplessness as their efforts prove futile. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A fleeting moment of clarity amidst overwhelming panic, highlighting the struggle between instinct and logic. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A profound and persistent fear that disrupted his physical and emotional well-being. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He attempted to overcome it through various means, though the terror would resurface, impacting his enjoyment of water activities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Paralysis in his legs and a sensation of icy horror gripping his heart. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He realized his persistent fear was severely limiting his life and sought to finally conquer it. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Using a rope and pulley system to provide support and control as Douglas practiced in the pool. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Despite his desire to enjoy them, it triggered the return of his terror, highlighting the persistent nature of his fear. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To downplay the seriousness of his near-drowning experience. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>His fear was a constant, inescapable presence. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It was a personal challenge for the narrator to ensure that all remnants of terror had been eradicated. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It was chosen specifically because Doug Corpron used to swim there, adding a layer of personal challenge. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Physical dangers are less threatening than our emotional reactions to them. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He initially relied on external assurance but eventually developed internal resilience. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The process of overcoming a deep-seated fear through systematic training and self-confrontation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The narrator has made significant progress, but occasional remnants of fear still appear. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By providing a structured, step-by-step approach to learning how to swim and building confidence. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To diminish its power through familiarity and ridicule, making it easier to confront. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He utilized a process of systematic desensitization, gradually exposing himself to water under controlled conditions and working with an instructor to build confidence. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Yakima River was considered treacherous due to real and remembered drowning incidents, whereas the Y.M.C.A. pool was perceived as safe due to its controlled environment and gradual depth. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It demonstrates that confronting and gradually mastering one's fears, despite initial terror, can lead to significant personal empowerment and expanded horizons. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To systematically break down the components of swimming and rebuild Douglas's confidence and skill in a controlled environment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It reveals a calculated decision to prioritize his goal of learning to swim over his personal insecurities, indicating determination and self-discipline. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Experiencing a near-drowning incident at the YMCA pool in Yakima. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Yakima River posed an actual threat due to its treacherous conditions, while the Y.M.C.A. pool represented a psychological challenge rooted in Douglas's fear. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>His vivid and descriptive language, coupled with personal reflections, intensifies the reader's empathy and highlights the depth of his emotional struggle. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It instilled in him a deep-seated belief that all fears can be conquered with enough determination. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To emphasize the legitimacy of his fear by highlighting the real dangers associated with water, thereby justifying his initial apprehension. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Imagery, to create a sensory experience that allows the reader to feel his panic. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He needed to ensure that his fear was truly conquered and would not resurface. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>His calculated risk-taking and determination to overcome personal limitations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fear can be conquered through persistence, proper guidance, and self-determination. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It enhances the reader's empathy by providing direct access to Douglas's thoughts and feelings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Individuals have the capacity to confront and overcome internal obstacles, leading to personal growth and freedom. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A conscious aspiration to enjoy water activities versus a deeply ingrained, fear-based aversion. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By employing vivid descriptions of distorted visual and tactile sensations, emphasizing the narrator's disorientation and struggle. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The vulnerability and helplessness experienced when confronted with unexpected threats and overwhelming force. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Illustrates a disconnect between intention and execution, reinforcing the theme of helplessness in the face of overwhelming fear. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To emphasize the physical manifestation of the narrator's fear, indicating a psychological component to his paralysis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The narrator is more scared than he has ever been. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To show that the narrator is not as buoyant as a cork. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To emphasize the narrator's distorted perception of time and distance due to extreme fear. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A prominent advocate for individual rights and longest-serving U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

A river that is dangerous and difficult to navigate, like the Yakima River.

An intense anxiety related to swimming or being in water, experienced by Douglas as a child.

A safe location for Douglas to learn swimming compared to the dangerous Yakima River.

Putting aside one's vanity or embarrassment for a greater purpose, like learning to swim.

An unfortunate incident or accident, often with a lesson learned.

Inflatable armbands used to help children float while learning to swim.

A portion of writing that serves as a personal account of the author's experiences.

An intense emotion experienced during danger or threat.

An extreme form of fear that causes loss of control.

Sudden overwhelming fear that leads to irrational behavior.

The inability to breathe, often experienced when submerged.

A state of hopelessness that drives urgent actions.

An innate response or behavior that arises in critical situations.

A state of nothingness, often associated with losing consciousness.

A planned response to escape danger and ensure safety.

An aversion to water experienced by the author since a young age, triggered by a traumatic incident at the beach.

The author's first encounter with waves at the beach led to fear and feeling overpowered.

The author's experience in the Y.M.C.A. swimming pool revived childhood fears but also built confidence.

The author's cautiousness about entering the pool alone reflects a timid personality.

The author's feeling of panic and suffocation after being thrown into the deep end.

The moment when the author reached the pool's bottom, planning to jump back to the surface.

The sensation the author felt being underwater, struggling to breathe and feeling powerless.

Douglas experienced fear, weakness, and anxiety after nearly drowning.

A persistent fear of water following the traumatic pool incident.

Douglas's fear ruined his enjoyment of water activities like fishing and swimming.

After years of fear, Douglas chose to take swimming lessons to overcome his phobia.

Douglas's instructor used a belt and rope system to help him practice swimming safely.

Douglas faced his panic progressively by practicing swimming consistently.

Over time, the tension from Douglas's fear began to decrease as he practiced swimming.

An intense anxiety that Douglas had about being in water, stemming from a childhood experience.

Douglas's process of overcoming his fear of water through determination and practice.

The instructor helped Douglas build confidence and skills to become a swimmer through gradual exposure.

Douglas vividly describes the panic he felt while struggling to stay afloat, making the experience relatable.

Douglas shares his childhood terror to illustrate the larger theme of overcoming fear in adulthood.

Tales of individuals overcoming fears or adversities, like Nelson Mandela, inspire others.

How the story's portrayal changes based on who tells it; a third-person view can add objectivity.

The feeling Douglas had when he finally overcame his fear of water, allowing him to explore freely.

Learning to exhale underwater and inhale at the surface.

Using legs to kick while holding onto the poolside.

Combining individual swimming techniques into a full stroke.

Facing and managing the terror of swimming alone.

Encountering fear while swimming across a large body of water.

Different swimming techniques including crawl, breast, side, and back stroke.

The anxiety that comes from the thought of dying.