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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. How does Styron's body feel in the beginning of his depression?
(a) Numb, frail, disjointed, and clumsy.
(b) Heavy, lethargic, awkward, and bloated.
(c) Manic, hyper, shaky, and strange.
(d) Energetic, strong, capable, and lively.

2. During one sleepless episode, what does Styron realize about his illness?
(a) That he is recovering.
(b) That he is a very weak person to let it rule his life.
(c) That he needs to get a handle on it.
(d) It will take his life if allowed to continue.

3. Why did Styron's publisher have to reschedule a photo session?
(a) Styron had only smiled in a few pictures but still looked as if in despair.
(b) Styron was in the hospital.
(c) Styron had left to go to Paris.
(d) Styron refused to come out of his room.

4. What puzzles Styron about Camus's book, "The Fall"?
(a) The title didn't fit the story.
(b) It was written so brilliantly though Camus was depressed.
(c) That the lawyer/narrator would want to kill himself.
(d) It was a good narrative of what a depressed person experiences.

5. Why does Styron say he was betrayed the summer before he was hospitalized?
(a) His doctor treated him with the wrong drug.
(b) His friends deserted him.
(c) His wife cheated on him.
(d) He could not longer drink any alcohol at all.

Short Answer Questions

1. What reaction to the op-ed piece causes Styron to decide to write this memoir?

2. According to Styron, why is the word depression so hard for people to accept?

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

4. Who is the doctor from Johns Hopkins who gave the name depression to the disease?

5. What bothers Styron so much about not being able to meet Camus?

(see the answer key)

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