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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which novel character does Styron compare himself with?

2. What does Styron's psychiatrist recommend to him about the hospital?

3. What term does Styron use to describe his depression?

4. Styron compares the theories about depression to the theories about what?

5. In the movie, "Through a Glass Darkly," the hallucination that the actress has is about what?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Even though it is nonfiction, a good memoir develops the characters through description, dialogue, and characterization, much as is done in fiction. Describe and give examples of how Styron develops his characters to make them interesting and insure the audience is sympathetic to them. Did he effectively develop his characters? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Styron's account of his treatment, including his treatment during hospitalization, and its impact on his recovery. Use examples from the book to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how Styron's depression and the influence of the writings of his friends impacted his writing. Discuss the influences can we see of not only his own depression, but the writings of Camus on Styron's work.

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