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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 3.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What bothers Styron so much about not being able to meet Camus?
(a) Because it meant he barely missed getting to meet the man whose writing he so admired.
(b) It meant he had to go to his luncheon with Lady del Duco.
(c) It meant Camus couldn't hear about winning the award.
(d) It meant there was another suicide in his circle of friends.

2. Where did Styron meet Hoffman?
(a) He had never really met him, only talked to him.
(b) At a democratic convention.
(c) At a writer's conference.
(d) At the del Duco award dinner.

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

4. According to Styron, what do people closest to those who commit suicide often do?
(a) Grieve longer than for death from other reasons.
(b) Deny that the death was suicide.
(c) Begin suffering from depression and are in danger of suicide also.
(d) Denounce their loved one.

5. Why is Styron so sad about Hoffman's suicide?
(a) He was so valuable to mankind.
(b) He was so young and vital.
(c) He was not really depressed, so why did he commit suicide?
(d) He was such a good writer.

Short Answer Questions

1. What two people does Styron think of while leaving Paris?

2. What pressing question does Styron have about the course of depression?

3. Styron calls depression:

4. After Primo Levi's suicide, what causes Styron to question the common view that those who commit suicide are weak and inept?

5. What does the suicide of another of Styron's friends lead him to believe?

(see the answer key)

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