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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 8.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is unusual about Styron's visit to Paris?
(a) He doesn't eat anything while he was there.
(b) He refuses to go to a luncheon in his honor.
(c) The bathrooms have bidets in them.
(d) He doesn't visit anything but the museum.

2. Why is Styron so sad about Hoffman's suicide?
(a) He was so valuable to mankind.
(b) He was not really depressed, so why did he commit suicide?
(c) He was such a good writer.
(d) He was so young and vital.

3. Which novel character does Styron compare himself with?
(a) Lennie from "Of Mice and Men."
(b) Captain Ahab from "Moby Dick."
(c) Rhett Butler from "Gone With the Wind."
(d) Emma Bovary from "Madame Bovary."

4. Why doesn't Styron recognize Camus's depression?
(a) He didn't know Camus very well.
(b) He didn't believe in depression at the time.
(c) Camus hid it very well because he was embarrassed by it.
(d) He had never experienced depression himself, so had no real clue.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. After Primo Levi's suicide, what causes Styron to question the common view that those who commit suicide are weak and inept?

2. Styron calls depression:

3. What is the second stage of psychological development in depression?

4. How old was Styron when he published his first novel?

5. How does his diary represent his mental state?

(see the answer key)

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