The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Depression

1. According to the text, why do depression medications work so well?

2. What does Solomon believe about the definition of depression listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual used in Psychiatry?

3. How do many people describe depression?

4. How does Solomon feel about the current century?

5. How did Phaly Noun help depressed women?

6. How does Solomon feel about the prospect of eliminating suffering?

Short Essay Question - Breakdowns

7. Why does Solomon not attend his own birthday party?