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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 8.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is Styron so sad about Hoffman's suicide?
(a) He was such a good writer.
(b) He was so young and vital.
(c) He was not really depressed, so why did he commit suicide?
(d) He was so valuable to mankind.

2. What does Styron say the award he received should have done for him?
(a) Make him famous.
(b) Make him new friends.
(c) Restore his ego.
(d) Pay all his bills.

3. What is Styron's first dream in many months?
(a) A flute, a wild goose, and a dancing girl.
(b) A demon, a fire, and his own death.
(c) A flock of Canadian geese.
(d) His wife leaving him.

4. In Chapter 3, what event causes Styron to more fully explore the relationship between depression and suicide?
(a) Styron sunk deeper into a depressive state.
(b) His wife left him.
(c) The suicide of Abbie Hoffman.
(d) His whole family rejected him.

5. According to Styron, who wrote about depression and seemed to really understand it?
(a) Gary.
(b) Camus.
(c) Dante.
(d) Chaucer.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the suicide of another of Styron's friends lead him to believe?

2. What three factors does Styron name as contributing to depression?

3. What happens to Styron's writing as he descends into depression?

4. What quote from Baudelaire does Styron use to explain his feelings?

5. In what way does Styron's depression come upon him?

(see the answer key)

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