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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Styron do for Hoffman regarding a political demonstration led by Hoffman?

2. What does Styron say is the most universal symptom of depression?

3. What does Gary reveal to Styron about the effect the death of his ex-wife had on him?

4. What does Styron call the DSM?

5. Though Styron admits all professions are susceptible to depression, which profession is the most susceptible?

Short Essay Questions

1. What advice did Styron give for the person suffering from depression?

2. What role does Styron say friends and family play for the person with depression?

3. What about the hospital was conducive to Styron's rapid recovery after months of intense suffering?

4. What other changes occurred with Styron beside mental distress?

5. Discuss how Styron says he attempted to handle the increasing malaise that began to overcome him beginning in the summer.

6. How did Styron describe the internal struggle with depression? What was causing this internal struggle, beside just the depression?

7. What indications of Gary's depression did Styron mention?

8. Discuss why Styron was so appreciative of receiving the del Duca award?

9. Why was depression such a hard thing for Styron in 1985?

10. What did Styron say was so harmful that doctors were prone to do for depressed people and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the characteristics of a good memoir is for the author to take one position in relevance to the topic. Does Styron effectively take one position in relation to depression? Give proof of your position from the book. What references from the book support his taking a certain stance, or did he fail to do that? What is his position (s) in reference to depression?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss what Styron's purpose is for writing "Darkness Visible." What might he want us to know and understand about his subject? Include what he states openly as well as what you understand him to want to say. Why does he think it is important to make us understand this?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Styron's thoughts about human resiliency and social report and provide examples from the book. How important are each of these to an individual's recovery and survival?

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