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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapters 9 and 10.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Styron, how many women have won the Prix Mondial Cino del Duca award?
(a) Twenty-five.
(b) None.
(c) More women than men.
(d) Only five.

2. What does the depression and sense of hopelessness cause Styron to do?
(a) Try to kill himself.
(b) Run away from his wife and home.
(c) Write even more in an attempt to understand it.
(d) Go to bed for hours every day.

3. Though the death of the poet, Randall Jarrell, was ruled accidental, why does Styron say it was probably suicide?
(a) He wanted to discredit Jarrell because of a disagreement they had.
(b) He wanted to gain support for his theory that depression led to suicide.
(c) He didn't want Jarrell's widow to receive the large insurance settlement.
(d) Because of Jarrell's depression and the fact there was no reason for him to be on the road on which he was struck by a car.

4. What does Styron want us to understand about those who commit suicide?
(a) That they were always good writers.
(b) That they had no other way to escape.
(c) That they were weak and couldn't handle pain.
(d) That secrecy and shame are not the right reaction.

5. During the dinner party, what does Styron do with his diary?
(a) He wraps it and throws it in the garbage.
(b) He reads portions of it to his friends.
(c) He gives it to a friend to publish.
(d) He hides it from his friends and wife.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Styron, what would be the only answer if depression was incurable?

2. Though Styron admits all professions are susceptible to depression, which profession is the most susceptible?

3. How does Styron explain his approach to his self-destruction?

4. As horrible as this hallucination is, what does Styron say about Bergman, who wrote the script?

5. According to Styron, what is a frequent theme in his novels?

(see the answer key)

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