1. What does Styron call the DSM?
(a) A guide to treatment.
(b) A good manual.
(c) Very inaccurate guide.
(d) The psychiatrist's bible.

2. What is Styron not able to recover?
(a) His family.
(b) His friendships.
(c) His lucidity.
(d) His fame.

3. How does Camus's essay influence Stryon's philosophy of life?
(a) It makes him realize depression was a personal thing.
(b) It makes him realize mankind's responsibility for the larger world.
(c) It makes him realize depression could be overcome if the person just cheered himself up.
(d) It makes him realize life is too short.

4. What bothers Styron about his meeting with Gary's estranged wife?
(a) Gary's wife wasn't very involved with her son.
(b) Their son was caught between their differences.
(c) That Gary was letting his estranged wife live with him.
(d) That he didn't understand her deep depression and what it meant.

5. What brings about Styron's flashback at the beginning of the story?
(a) Seeing his two friends.
(b) Winning the award.
(c) Seeing the Hotel.
(d) Visiting the museum.

Short Answer Questions

1. What philosophical question does Gary present as central to all philosophy; a question that confuses Styron until years later when he suffers his depression?

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

3. What does Gary confess to Styron about Camus's depression?

4. What does Styron believe about a depressed colleague's decision to ride with a reckless driver?

5. What does Styron say about not returning to France?

(see the answer key)

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