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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does Styron think of these two people, who were close literary friends?
(a) He thinks they should have won the award.
(b) He thinks they both had depression.
(c) He thinks they should move to America where they would be more recognized.
(d) He doesn't think their writing was very good.

3. What starts Styron's downward spiral into depression?
(a) He begins to suffer nausea when drinking alcohol, which he had depended upon.
(b) Being isolated in Connecticut in the winter.
(c) The loss of several friends to suicide.
(d) Trouble with his wife.

4. What effect does Styron's op-ed piece have on the general public?
(a) Many people thought Styron was weak.
(b) Many suffering from depression were suddenly willing to come forward and admit it.
(c) Many felt he was justified in feeling depressed.
(d) Many felt he didn't deserve the del Duco award.

5. What causes Styron to lose his voice in Paris?
(a) Bronchitis.
(b) Screaming until he was hoarse.
(c) Damp weather.
(d) Severe depression and resulting lethargy.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what year does Styron first realize his illness could lead to his death?

2. Right before the onset of his depression, Styron begins to suffer from what?

3. What does Styron want us to understand about those who commit suicide?

4. During one sleepless episode, what does Styron realize about his illness?

5. What philosophical question does Gary present as central to all philosophy; a question that confuses Styron until years later when he suffers his depression?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Styron say about his physical condition after he got released from the hospital?

2. What happened to Styron as his depression progressed?

3. What sort of attachments did Styron form as his depression progressed?

4. Why was the suicide of Albert Camus and Romain Gary so devastating to Styron?

5. As Styron contemplated and planned for his suicide, what two feelings did he describe?

6. What did Styron discover about himself in Paris, during one of his more lucid moments?

7. What term did Stryon say was a more apt description of depression than that word itself?

8. What indications of Gary's depression did Styron mention?

9. What other changes occurred with Styron beside mental distress?

10. What happened to Romain Gary, Styron's friend, as a result of his depression?

(see the answer keys)

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