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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 depression could be overcome if the person just cheered himself up.
(c) It makes him realize depression was a personal thing.
(d) It makes him realize mankind's responsibility for the larger world.

2. Right before the onset of his depression, Styron begins to suffer from what?
(a) Extreme joy.
(b) Lack of sexual interest.
(c) Excessive sleepiness.
(d) Hypochondria.

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

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

5. What starts Styron's downward spiral into depression?
(a) He begins to suffer nausea when drinking alcohol, which he had depended upon.
(b) Being isolated in Connecticut in the winter.
(c) Trouble with his wife.
(d) The loss of several friends to suicide.

Short Answer Questions

1. From Job to Styron's day, he says artists and writers have been trying to do what?

2. How old was Levi when he committed his suicide?

3. What effect does Styron's op-ed piece have on the general public?

4. When is depression at its worst?

5. According to Styron, who wrote about depression and seemed to really understand it?

(see the answer key)

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