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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Styron lose at the luncheon in Paris?

2. Styron agrees with what literary guide's belief?

3. Though Styron admits all professions are susceptible to depression, which profession is the most susceptible?

4. What does Styron say about alcohol's mood-altering characteristics?

5. What is the award Styron receives?

Short Essay Questions

1. What advice did Styron give for the person suffering from depression?

2. Why did Cino del Duca, whom the award was named for, decide to publish works of literary merit?

3. What does Styron say about the causes of depression?

4. What was Styron doing that was harming him, making his depression worse, though he thought it was helping?

5. What did the suicide of several of Styron's friends lead him to do, and what was the result of this action?

6. Who did Styron say the depressed person was dangerous to, and why?

7. What did Styron say was so harmful that doctors were prone to do for depressed people and why?

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

9. Why was depression such a hard thing for Styron in 1985?

10. What did the suicides of several of his friends, who had distinguished careers and were obviously intelligent and known for their strong character, cause Styron to do? How was his beliefs opposed to the general public view?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the possible meaning Camus had when he talked about man's alienation for other men. What does this perspective mean, given his diagnosis of depression? Would he have seen the world the same way if he had not suffered depression? Do you think Styron agreed with him? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Styron's account of his treatment, including his treatment during hospitalization, and its impact on his recovery. Use examples from the book to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

A "touchstone text" is a text that can be used to illustrate examples of components of a type of writing style. "Darkness Visible" could be used as a touchstone text for memoir writing. Some of the components of memoir writing are: 1) focus and reflection on the relationship between the writer and a particular topic; 2) explanation of the significance of the relationship; 3) provides one impression of the subject of the memoir; 4) is limited to a particular phase, time period, place, or recurring behavior in order to develop the focus fully; 5) makes the subject of the memoir come alive; and, 6) maintains a first person point of view. Discuss and give examples from "Darkness Visible" to indicate if Styron is successful with each of the six points.

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