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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. According to Styron, how many women have won the Prix Mondial Cino del Duca award?
(a) More women than men.
(b) Twenty-five.
(c) None.
(d) Only five.

2. What does Styron believe about a depressed colleague's decision to ride with a reckless driver?
(a) That his friend didn't want to embarrass his friend by refusing a ride.
(b) That it was a form of suicide.
(c) That he probably didn't know the driver was so reckless.
(d) That his friend didn't have any choice about who to ride with.

3. 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.

4. Why would Jarrell's widow not want to admit he committed suicide?
(a) Because she couldn't collect his life insurance.
(b) She was cheating on him.
(c) Because of the stigma of suicide.
(d) She didn't believe he committed suicide.

5. What reaction does Styron have to a flock of Canadian geese?
(a) He tries to shoot them.
(b) He is frozen in anxiety at the sight of them.
(c) He thinks they are graceful.
(d) They temporarily restore his good feelings.

Short Answer Questions

1. At what point in one's life does Styron say the seeds of depression are planted?

2. Though Styron feels alone, who is always with him?

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

4. What does Levi's suicide cause Styron to do?

5. How does Camus's essay about a prisoner on death row impact Styron's writing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss how Styron says he attempted to handle the increasing malaise that began to overcome him beginning in the summer.

2. What did Styron say about the impression his intense thoughts of suicide would have on others?

3. What sort of therapy was used to help Styron overcome his depression?

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

5. Styron gave little credence to his outpatient therapy, but said what about the 50 minutes involved?

6. What hope does Styron offer to those who survive depression?

7. What did Styron say caused the incipient insomnia that depressed people often experienced?

8. What about the hospital was conducive to Styron's rapid recovery after months of intense suffering?

9. What statistics did Styron give about depression and suicide?

10. For the most part, the people Styron list as suffering from depression are artistic types or philosophers. Discuss why this may be so?

(see the answer keys)

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