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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does the doctor tell Styron about his medicine, Halcion, and its dosage?
(a) It is the best medicine.
(b) It is three times the normal dose and not recommended for men his age.
(c) He needs a much larger dose.
(d) It is not effective for depression.

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

4. What does Styron's psychiatrist do that sends him into a deep depression?
(a) Tells him to leave his wife if he wanted to get better.
(b) Tells him he would have to wait ten days before starting his new medicine, and then it would take 6-8 weeks to work.
(c) Tells him he was never going to recover.
(d) Puts him in the hospital.

5. What is a common occurrence in people planning suicide?
(a) A revision of their will.
(b) A second self who observes the self planning its destruction.
(c) Sending all family away for a time.
(d) Detailed plans for their death.

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

7. How does Styron explain his approach to his self-destruction?
(a) He knew he would hurt his wife, but had to do it.
(b) He was going to choose a painless method.
(c) Melodramatic, one part of him the actor, and one part of him the audience.
(d) It was fully deserved.

8. What does Styron say is absent in depression that causes it to be so difficult to endure?
(a) The hope of deliverance is absent and makes it almost impossible to endure.
(b) Good hospitals.
(c) Doctors who know what to do.
(d) Medicine to treat it.

9. What two things does Styron believe led to his depression?
(a) His physical illness and his anxiety.
(b) Chemical dependence and illness.
(c) His mother's death and a hereditary factor through his father.
(d) His wife's infidelity and the loss of his job.

10. For Styron, what is the most devastating loss of physical functions?
(a) His agility and interest in sports.
(b) His sexual drive.
(c) His ability to stay awake during the day.
(d) His ability to sleep and lack of dreaming.

11. How does Styron indicate he was planning to die?
(a) He dresses nicely for the person who will find him.
(b) He revises his will and tries to write a goodbye letter.
(c) He sends his wife away for a time so he would be alone.
(d) He gathers a knife and some towels.

12. What does Styron believe he needs to get well that can be provided by the hospital?
(a) A controlled environment and more time.
(b) Freedom from other people and their advise.
(c) More medicine.
(d) Psychotherapy.

13. What does this music make him realize?
(a) That he couldn't leave all the pleasant memories that the house around him held.
(b) That he didn't want to life any more.
(c) That his suicide would hurt his wife too much.
(d) That music could restore his soul.

14. Which writer does Styron quote as saying he had "lost the right path"?
(a) Shakespeare.
(b) Camus.
(c) Dante.
(d) Gary.

15. According to Styron, what is a frequent theme in his novels?
(a) Death.
(b) Family support.
(c) Friendships.
(d) Suicide.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what does Styron compare medical treatment for depression?

2. What is so frustrating about depression for artists, musicians, and scientists?

3. What does Styron do to try and stop the hopeless feelings?

4. Why does Styron consult with Dr. Gold, who he didn't feel could really help him?

5. What happens to persons in physical pain that is not experienced with mental pain?

(see the answer keys)

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