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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. From Job to Styron's day, he says artists and writers have been trying to do what?
(a) Overcome the effects of depression that overcome artists.
(b) Cheer up people who suffer from depression with their works.
(c) Build better relationships to overcome depression.
(d) Explain the blackness of the fantasia of depression.

3. What does Styron say about people who survive a depressive episode?
(a) They are weak people who just happened to endure an episode.
(b) They come out with few permanent wounds.
(c) They are very strong people but succumb to a weakness.
(d) They are permanently damaged mentally.

4. How did Lincoln attempt to vanquish death due to his own hand?
(a) By being the best family man he could.
(b) By taking medicines prescribed to him.
(c) By declaring war.
(d) Through his work that was valued by posterity.

5. Why does he throw his diary in the garbage instead of burning it?
(a) It better represents the annihilation of a loathful self, and deserves to be thrown in the garbage as well.
(b) He doesn't want to see any trace, such as ashes.
(c) He is afraid of fire, so couldn't bring himself to burn the diary.
(d) He doesn't want to start a fire and let his friends know what he was doing.

6. What sort of people does Styron say is more prone to depression?
(a) Artistic people.
(b) People with above average intelligence.
(c) People who have lost loved ones.
(d) Poor people.

7. Who does Styron compare his psychiatrist to?
(a) A quack.
(b) The parish priest in "Madame Bovary."
(c) His friend, Gary.
(d) His wife.

8. What two feelings does Styron experience as he planned his suicide?
(a) Hopelessness and despair.
(b) Despondency and fear.
(c) Love for his wife and hopelessness for himself.
(d) Terror and fascination.

9. What conclusion can we make for what Styron says about his recovery?
(a) That he just needed some more rest.
(b) That is was difficult and required a lot of strength.
(c) Writing in his diary helped him recover.
(d) Medicines need to be adjusted correctly.

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

11. What is so frustrating about depression for artists, musicians, and scientists?
(a) It affects many of their families.
(b) Frequent hospitalizations with their depresion interrupts their lives.
(c) The inability to explain and convey it to others who haven't had it.
(d) It interferes with their work.

12. What events led to Abraham Lincoln suffering depression and even attempting suicide?
(a) The death of his mother when he was 9 and his sister 10 years later.
(b) The Civil War.
(c) His wife's infidelity.
(d) Slavery in the South.

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

14. What does Styron say family and friends should continue to do for the depressed person?
(a) Watch them constantly to prevent suicide.
(b) Make them talk about their problems.
(c) Validate their worth and sense of self.
(d) Tell them to cheer up and get over it.

15. How does Styron respond to the experimental approach?
(a) He was in mental anguish, wanting immediate relief.
(b) He didn't notice anything, but was hopeful so did better.
(c) He demanded another drug.
(d) He immediately got better.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which novel character does Styron compare himself with?

2. Which writer does Styron quote as saying he had "lost the right path"?

3. What famous poet does Styron name as an example of excellent works by a depressed person?

4. What three brand-name items does Styron use to destroy his diary?

5. What does Styron say would prevent many suicides?

(see the answer keys)

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