View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 8.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Styron explain his approach to his self-destruction?
(a) He knew he would hurt his wife, but had to do it.
(b) Melodramatic, one part of him the actor, and one part of him the audience.
(c) He was going to choose a painless method.
(d) It was fully deserved.

2. What philosophical question does Gary present as central to all philosophy; a question that confuses Styron until years later when he suffers his depression?
(a) Are all suicides due to weak character?
(b) Why does life have hardships?
(c) Does man depend on other men?
(d) Is life worth living?

3. Why does Styron think of his mother as he listens to the music?
(a) It was played at her funeral.
(b) It spoke of a lady like her.
(c) She played it on the piano.
(d) He had heard her sing it.

4. Styron dates the onset of his deep depression to what event?
(a) The death of several of his friends.
(b) His inability to drink alcohol.
(c) His wife's leaving him.
(d) His chilren all leaving home.

5. Why are late afternoons so distressing to Styron?
(a) He suffers from panic and anxiety.
(b) He takes naps and had nightmares during the nap.
(c) He has to go to his doctor every afternoon.
(d) He gets sleepy and couldn't work.

Short Answer Questions

1. What reason does Styron give for taking the prescribed medicines without question?

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

3. What does he think about art therapy?

4. What does Gary reveal to Styron about the effect the death of his ex-wife had on him?

5. What three brand-name items does Styron use to destroy his diary?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 394 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample