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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 does Styron say depression is like?
(a) Drowning or suffocation.
(b) Makes him angry at everyone.
(c) A sadness.
(d) An extra sleepy mood.

2. What happens to persons in physical pain that is not experienced with mental pain?
(a) Mental pain doesn't disable one as much as physical pain.
(b) Depression hurts worse.
(c) A superhuman ability to endure physical pain for a time.
(d) Ones in physical pain receive medicine but don't get better.

3. What does Styron say about assigning reasons for suicide to those who take that route?
(a) Most of the time the cause is not one incident, but overwhelming depression.
(b) That only weak people commit suicide.
(c) That people who commit suicide don't love their families.
(d) That people who commit suicide are justified in doing it.

4. For Styron, what is the most devastating loss of physical functions?
(a) His sexual drive.
(b) His ability to stay awake during the day.
(c) His agility and interest in sports.
(d) His ability to sleep and lack of dreaming.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Who is Styron's literary guide?

3. What happens before Styron meets with Camus?

4. How does Styron's body feel in the beginning of his depression?

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

(see the answer key)

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