1. What two people does Styron think of while leaving Paris?
(a) Albert Camus and Romain Gary.
(b) His son and brother.
(c) His father and brother.
(d) Job and Milton.

2. Which group of people have more incidence of depression than all others?
(a) Poor people.
(b) Children.
(c) Women suffer more than any other group of people.
(d) Rich people.

3. What happens to Styron during his museum visit in Paris?
(a) He begins to feel the late evening lethargy that always descends.
(b) He complains to his wife about the museum the whole time.
(c) He finds inspiration for another book.
(d) He runs out and leaves the group he was with.

4. What does the suicide of another of Styron's friends lead him to believe?
(a) That his friends must be weak.
(b) That he would soon have to face the fact that his own suicide is his only way out.
(c) That he isn't a very good friend to others since he can't help them.
(d) That life isn't worth living.

5. What do Styron's companions notice about him?
(a) He is angry at his friends.
(b) He is disoriented.
(c) He is very sleepy.
(d) That he appears not to feel well.

Short Answer Questions

1. What philosophical question does Gary present as central to all philosophy; a question that confuses Styron until years later when he suffers his depression?

2. What clues does Gary reveal that Styron later learns was probably signs of deep depression?

3. According to Styron, how many women have won the Prix Mondial Cino del Duca award?

4. What does Styron lose at the luncheon in Paris?

5. What does Styron say depression is like?

(see the answer key)

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