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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the depression and sense of hopelessness cause Styron to do?
(a) Try to kill himself.
(b) Go to bed for hours every day.
(c) Write even more in an attempt to understand it.
(d) Run away from his wife and home.

2. How did Lincoln attempt to vanquish death due to his own hand?
(a) By being the best family man he could.
(b) By declaring war.
(c) By taking medicines prescribed to him.
(d) Through his work that was valued by posterity.

3. Why did Styron's publisher have to reschedule a photo session?
(a) Styron was in the hospital.
(b) Styron refused to come out of his room.
(c) Styron had only smiled in a few pictures but still looked as if in despair.
(d) Styron had left to go to Paris.

4. What term does Styron give to the loss of a parent or something early in life?
(a) Dark depression.
(b) Insurmountable loss.
(c) Lifelong loss.
(d) Incomplete mourning.

5. How does Styron respond to the experimental approach?
(a) He didn't notice anything, but was hopeful so did better.
(b) He immediately got better.
(c) He demanded another drug.
(d) He was in mental anguish, wanting immediate relief.

6. What note does Styron want to copy for his goodbye letter?
(a) "This is the end. Don't mourn."
(b) "I am sorry for any pain I cause. My pain is greater."
(c) "No more words; an act. I'll never write again."
(d) "Life is no longer worth it."

7. Styron names a number of writers, poets, and sculptors who have what common underlying theme in their work?
(a) Longevity.
(b) Beauty.
(c) Love.
(d) Depression.

8. What reaction does Styron have to group therapy?
(a) It makes him seeth but gives him a way to pass the time.
(b) It is the major source of his healing.
(c) He has no reaction to it, and just endures it.
(d) He doesn't participate.

9. What piece of music moves Styron to his breakthrough and hospitalization?
(a) Beethoven's Fifth.
(b) Chopin's Funeral March.
(c) Halleluah Chorus.
(d) Brahms's Alto Rhapsody.

10. At the dinner party, how does Styron react to the four friends?
(a) He is catatonic and does not speak.
(b) He gets angry and speaks hatefully to them.
(c) He cries throughout the dinner because of his depression.
(d) He brags through the whole dinner party about his accomplishments.

11. What does Styron say would prevent many suicides?
(a) Stronger medicines.
(b) Immediate hospitalization.
(c) Someone to watch the depressed person at all times.
(d) Strong support from family, friends, and professionsals.

12. What happens when Styron's medicine is changed?
(a) He can't sleep at night.
(b) He becomes violent and has to be restrained.
(c) His depression deepens.
(d) His suicidal thoughts cease.

13. During the dinner party, what does Styron do with his diary?
(a) He gives it to a friend to publish.
(b) He wraps it and throws it in the garbage.
(c) He reads portions of it to his friends.
(d) He hides it from his friends and wife.

14. What does Styron say family and friends should continue to do for the depressed person?
(a) Tell them to cheer up and get over it.
(b) Make them talk about their problems.
(c) Validate their worth and sense of self.
(d) Watch them constantly to prevent suicide.

15. What conclusion can we make for what Styron says about his recovery?
(a) Writing in his diary helped him recover.
(b) Medicines need to be adjusted correctly.
(c) That is was difficult and required a lot of strength.
(d) That he just needed some more rest.

Short Answer Questions

1. Though depression tends to recur, what advantage do sufferers of recurrence have?

2. As horrible as this hallucination is, what does Styron say about Bergman, who wrote the script?

3. Why does Styron say depression was no stranger when it came to him?

4. How does Styron explain his approach to his self-destruction?

5. What is a common occurrence in people planning suicide?

(see the answer keys)

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