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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapters 6 and 7.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What three factors does Styron name as contributing to depression?
(a) Family trouble, job loss, and financial worries.
(b) Anger, fear, and desolation.
(c) Early loss, weak character, and no support.
(d) Chemicals in the brain, behavior, and genetics.

2. What does Styron say is absent in depression that causes it to be so difficult to endure?
(a) Good hospitals.
(b) Medicine to treat it.
(c) Doctors who know what to do.
(d) The hope of deliverance is absent and makes it almost impossible to endure.

3. What is Styron's diary a symbol of?
(a) His path through depression.
(b) His writing goals.
(c) His self-esteem and self-worth.
(d) His hopelessness in the face of depression.

4. What does Styron say about alcohol's mood-altering characteristics?
(a) It had no effect on his mood.
(b) It is a depressant, but didn't depress him.
(c) It is an upper, but depressed him.
(d) It lightened his mood for a good amount of time.

5. What happens to Gary's ex-wife?
(a) She took an overdose of pills and her body was found in a car after several days.
(b) She shot herself.
(c) She was killed by someone, probably Gary himself.
(d) She disappeared and was never found again.

Short Answer Questions

1. What Camus novel has a profound impact on Styron?

2. What is a probable reason that Styron's doctor or family don't suggest hospitalization for him?

3. What note does Styron want to copy for his goodbye letter?

4. Which group of people have more incidence of depression than all others?

5. How does his diary represent his mental state?

(see the answer key)

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