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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After Primo Levi's suicide, what causes Styron to question the common view that those who commit suicide are weak and inept?
(a) Levi was involved in so many good causes.
(b) Levi was such a good writer.
(c) Levi had survived the Auschwitz and cared for his paralyzed mother.
(d) Levi worked out all the time and was very strong.

2. During one sleepless episode, what does Styron realize about his illness?
(a) That he is a very weak person to let it rule his life.
(b) That he needs to get a handle on it.
(c) That he is recovering.
(d) It will take his life if allowed to continue.

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

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

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

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

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

8. Though Styron admits all professions are susceptible to depression, which profession is the most susceptible?
(a) Lawyers.
(b) Doctors.
(c) Artistic types.
(d) School teacherrs.

9. What is the old term for depression?
(a) Melancholia.
(b) Mental deficit.
(c) Manic depressive.
(d) Mania.

10. What does Styron say would cause many depression-related suicides?
(a) Lack of medicines to treat depression.
(b) Lack of psychiatric treatment protocols.
(c) Lack of moral strength by the depressed person.
(d) Lack of awareness by others about the intensity of the pain.

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

12. Who is Styron's literary guide?
(a) Romain Gary.
(b) Cino del Duca.
(c) Albert Camus.
(d) Abbie Hoffman.

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

14. In Chapter 3, what event causes Styron to more fully explore the relationship between depression and suicide?
(a) His wife left him.
(b) The suicide of Abbie Hoffman.
(c) Styron sunk deeper into a depressive state.
(d) His whole family rejected him.

15. According to Styron, what often leads depressed people to commit suicide?
(a) Because they don't have a very strong will to live.
(b) Because they don't love their families like other people do.
(c) Because of moral weakness and lack of character.
(d) Because depression is so deep they can't see any other way out.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Styron say about not returning to France?

2. What is the award Styron receives?

3. What does the suicide of another of Styron's friends lead him to believe?

4. Who arranges a meeting between Albert Camus and Styron?

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

(see the answer keys)

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