View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Though the death of the poet, Randall Jarrell, was ruled accidental, why does Styron say it was probably suicide?
(a) He wanted to gain support for his theory that depression led to suicide.
(b) 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.
(c) He didn't want Jarrell's widow to receive the large insurance settlement.
(d) He wanted to discredit Jarrell because of a disagreement they had.

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

3. How old was Levi when he committed his suicide?
(a) 74.
(b) 26.
(c) 39.
(d) 67.

4. Who arranges a meeting between Albert Camus and Styron?
(a) Cino del Duco
(b) Romain Gary.
(c) Rose Styron.
(d) William Styron.

5. What brings about Styron's flashback at the beginning of the story?
(a) Seeing his two friends.
(b) Winning the award.
(c) Visiting the museum.
(d) Seeing the Hotel.

6. What does Styron believe about a depressed colleague's decision to ride with a reckless driver?
(a) That his friend didn't want to embarrass his friend by refusing a ride.
(b) That he probably didn't know the driver was so reckless.
(c) That his friend didn't have any choice about who to ride with.
(d) That it was a form of suicide.

7. What does Gary confess to Styron about Camus's depression?
(a) He had tried to convince Camus to get help.
(b) He didn't believe Camus really suffered from depression.
(c) He knew Camus was going to commit suicide and did nothing about it.
(d) That Gary saw the same depression in himself, though it was controlled.

8. What bothers Styron so much about not being able to meet Camus?
(a) Because it meant he barely missed getting to meet the man whose writing he so admired.
(b) It meant Camus couldn't hear about winning the award.
(c) It meant there was another suicide in his circle of friends.
(d) It meant he had to go to his luncheon with Lady del Duco.

9. When is depression at its worst?
(a) Madness.
(b) Fake feelings of sadness.
(c) A blue state.
(d) Painful sorrow.

10. How old was Styron when he published his first novel?
(a) Mid-20's.
(b) 15.
(c) 35.
(d) 40.

11. Where did Styron meet Hoffman?
(a) He had never really met him, only talked to him.
(b) At a writer's conference.
(c) At a democratic convention.
(d) At the del Duco award dinner.

12. What characteristic of depression make Styron's memoir limited in benefit?
(a) He couldn't write so well because of the immobility of depression.
(b) He couldn't give good advice because the depression made him suicidal.
(c) Its complexity made the memoir about only one person limited.
(d) He had to be hospitalized so couldn't finish the memoir in the manner he wanted.

13. What does Levi's suicide cause Styron to do?
(a) Write an op-ed piece to the NY Times on depression, discounting the shame most felt about it.
(b) Condemn Levi for his cowardice.
(c) Plan his own suicide.
(d) Denounce Levi as his friend.

14. What effect does Styron's op-ed piece have on the general public?
(a) Many people thought Styron was weak.
(b) Many suffering from depression were suddenly willing to come forward and admit it.
(c) Many felt he was justified in feeling depressed.
(d) Many felt he didn't deserve the del Duco award.

15. How does Styron feel about his Connecticut farmhouse?
(a) It feels ominous to him.
(b) He thinks it needed lots of work.
(c) He loves spending time there.
(d) He hates the house, preferring Martha's Vineyard.

Short Answer Questions

1. What city is Styron in at the beginning of the memoir?

2. According to Styron, how many women have won the Prix Mondial Cino del Duca award?

3. How did Levi's friends and admirers react to his suicide?

4. In what year does Styron first realize his illness could lead to his death?

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 694 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample