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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is a probable reason that Styron's doctor or family don't suggest hospitalization for him?
(a) He gets angry whenever they approach the subject.
(b) They don't know he was that bad.
(c) The social stigma and the fact that mental illness is not tangible or visible.
(d) They don't think it would help him.

2. In the movie, "Through a Glass Darkly," the hallucination that the actress has is about what?
(a) Getting lost in the woods
(b) Snakes crawling on the ceiling.
(c) A spider trying to sexually attack her.
(d) Monsters in her closet.

3. Why does Styron say he was betrayed the summer before he was hospitalized?
(a) He could not longer drink any alcohol at all.
(b) His doctor treated him with the wrong drug.
(c) His friends deserted him.
(d) His wife cheated on him.

4. How does Styron mange to avoid the recommended shock treatment?
(a) His doctor doesn't believe in it.
(b) He refuses to let them do it.
(c) He begins to get better immediately.
(d) He pretends that he had already had it.

5. What does he think about art therapy?
(a) Too difficult hard.
(b) A waste of time.
(c) Skeptical because of the teacher's overly effusive praise, but eventually likes it.
(d) He would rather write than paint or draw.

6. Why does Styron consult with Dr. Gold, who he didn't feel could really help him?
(a) To get help for his friend, Camus.
(b) To receive the medicines he thought would help him.
(c) To look good to the press.
(d) To satisfy his wife, who demanded he get treatment.

7. What does Styron's psychiatrist recommend to him about the hospital?
(a) To avoid the hospital at all costs.
(b) To go to the hospital for treatment.
(c) To go to a hospital in Paris so no one would know.
(d) To plan on staying for a year in the hospital.

8. What is Styron's first dream in many months?
(a) His wife leaving him.
(b) A flute, a wild goose, and a dancing girl.
(c) A demon, a fire, and his own death.
(d) A flock of Canadian geese.

9. What three brand-name items does Styron use to destroy his diary?
(a) Diamond matches, Kingsford Charcoal lighter, and Viva towels.
(b) Viva towels, Scotch tape, and Post Raisin Bran cereal box.
(c) None, just throws it away in the garbage.
(d) Cheez-its box, 3M tape, and Brawny towels.

10. What reason does Styron give for taking the prescribed medicines without question?
(a) He didn't know anything about the medicine.
(b) He was told the medicine was harmless.
(c) He was too depressed to notice.
(d) His doctor threathened the hospital if he didn't take it.

11. What does Styron call the condition of the person suffering unrelenting depression?
(a) A sure suicide.
(b) Potentially criminal people.
(c) The situation of the walking wounded.
(d) The position of being in a black fog.

12. Why did Styron's publisher have to reschedule a photo session?
(a) Styron had left to go to Paris.
(b) Styron was in the hospital.
(c) Styron had only smiled in a few pictures but still looked as if in despair.
(d) Styron refused to come out of his room.

13. What famous poet does Styron name as an example of excellent works by a depressed person?
(a) Emily Bronte.
(b) Robert Frost.
(c) Walt Whitman.
(d) Emily Dickinson.

14. Why does Styron think of his mother as he listens to the music?
(a) She played it on the piano.
(b) He had heard her sing it.
(c) It was played at her funeral.
(d) It spoke of a lady like her.

15. In addition to anxiety, what other characteristic of depression becomes manifest?
(a) An inability to be still, constantly moving.
(b) Argumentative with family and friends.
(c) Deep, dark imaginings.
(d) Incessant talking.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Styron describe his recovery from depression?

2. What effect does the failure of medicines to act quickly have on the depressed person?

3. How does Styron respond to the experimental approach?

4. According to Styron, what is the greatest fallacy about suicide?

5. What is Styron's avoidance of death due to?

(see the answer keys)

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