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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. Why is Styron so sad about Hoffman's suicide?

2. Which group of people does depression never happen to?

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

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the diary represent to Styron? What did he do with it?

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

3. What did Camus speak of that so strongly affected Styron? What relationship did Styron have with Camus?

4. How did Styron describe the internal struggle with depression? What was causing this internal struggle, beside just the depression?

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

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

7. What happened to Styron and his drinking habits and how did that affect him?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Styron's book and its subject becomes quite dark and depressing at times. Also, it is difficult because of the symbolism and the difficult language used. Yet it is considered a classic, worthy of being taught in a high school class. Why is this? What about this subject makes it relative to people today? What about the book makes it an excellent memoir? What comprises the beauty in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Styron suggests that brainstorm would be a better name for the physical ramifications of depression, but brainstorm means the opposite of what he meant it to be. What does brainstorm mean, as used normally, and what is it as Styron meant it? Compare and contrast the two meanings.

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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