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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) Plan his own suicide.
(c) Denounce Levi as his friend.
(d) Condemn Levi for his cowardice.

2. What philosophical question does Gary present as central to all philosophy; a question that confuses Styron until years later when he suffers his depression?
(a) Are all suicides due to weak character?
(b) Is life worth living?
(c) Why does life have hardships?
(d) Does man depend on other men?

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

4. What is Styron not able to recover?
(a) His fame.
(b) His friendships.
(c) His lucidity.
(d) His family.

5. How does Camus's essay about a prisoner on death row impact Styron's writing?
(a) It causes him to want to write much better than he felt Camus did.
(b) It leads to his using a narrator on death row to tell the story in "Confessions of Nat Turner."
(c) It causes him to stop writing for a while.
(d) It gives him some ideas about stories he wants to write.

6. What does Styron say the award he received should have done for him?
(a) Restore his ego.
(b) Make him new friends.
(c) Make him famous.
(d) Pay all his bills.

7. What pressing question does Styron have about the course of depression?
(a) Why do some who suffered commit suicide while others don't?
(b) What medicines are effective?
(c) Why would a person who has everything still be depressed?
(d) Why doesn't the person just cheer up and get over it?

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

9. What does Styron realize in Paris that helps him understand what is happening to him?
(a) He can't talk to his wife any more.
(b) He begins to cry incessantly and realizes he is depressed.
(c) He can't think clearly anymore.
(d) The circadian cycle gives him moments of brief respite from the deep depression, giving clarity of thought.

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

11. In the depth of his depression in Paris, what does Styron realize he would have to decide?
(a) The philosophical question of whether life is worth living or not.
(b) Whether to tell his wife or not.
(c) Whether to admit it to the press or not.
(d) What doctor to see about it.

12. What is the award Styron receives?
(a) Nobel Peace Prize.
(b) Prix Mondial Cino del Duca award.
(c) He didn't receive one, he was giving one.
(d) Newberry Award.

13. At what point in one's life does Styron say the seeds of depression are planted?
(a) In early adulthood.
(b) In childhood.
(c) In middle age.
(d) There is not one particular time, it varies.

14. Which group of people does depression never happen to?
(a) Older people who have gotten a grasp on life.
(b) None are excluded; it attacks all groups.
(c) Mothers who enjoy their role.
(d) People younger than their teens.

15. How long does Stryon say it will be before he returns to Paris?
(a) Forever.
(b) A year.
(c) A month.
(d) A couple of years.

Short Answer Questions

1. What Camus novel has a profound impact on Styron?

2. What bothers Styron about his meeting with Gary's estranged wife?

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

4. What does Styron say about alcohol's mood-altering characteristics?

5. Styron calls depression:

(see the answer keys)

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