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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 3.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Styron say is the most universal symptom of depression?
(a) Intense anxiety.
(b) Loss of friendships.
(c) Self-hatred or lack of self-esteem.
(d) Sadness.

2. What philosophical question does Gary present as central to all philosophy; a question that confuses Styron until years later when he suffers his depression?
(a) Is life worth living?
(b) Does man depend on other men?
(c) Why does life have hardships?
(d) Are all suicides due to weak character?

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

4. What does Styron say would cause many depression-related suicides?
(a) Lack of medicines to treat depression.
(b) Lack of moral strength by the depressed person.
(c) Lack of awareness by others about the intensity of the pain.
(d) Lack of psychiatric treatment protocols.

5. What clues does Gary reveal that Styron later learns was probably signs of deep depression?
(a) Shaky hands and weak, quiet voice.
(b) Lack of cohesive thought.
(c) Constant weepiness.
(d) Withdrawal from friendships.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why would Jarrell's widow not want to admit he committed suicide?

2. What brings about Styron's flashback at the beginning of the story?

3. What percentage of artistic types who suffer from depression die from suicide?

4. What happens before Styron meets with Camus?

5. What is the award Styron receives?

(see the answer key)

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