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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapters 6 and 7.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Styron say he will do with the prize money he won?
(a) Give it all to charity.
(b) Give most to charity but save a small portion for a personal matter.
(c) Retire early and write.
(d) Pay off all old debts so he could concentrate on writing.

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

3. What does Styron say would cause many depression-related suicides?
(a) Lack of moral strength by the depressed person.
(b) Lack of awareness by others about the intensity of the pain.
(c) Lack of medicines to treat depression.
(d) Lack of psychiatric treatment protocols.

4. What starts Styron's downward spiral into depression?
(a) He begins to suffer nausea when drinking alcohol, which he had depended upon.
(b) Trouble with his wife.
(c) The loss of several friends to suicide.
(d) Being isolated in Connecticut in the winter.

5. During one sleepless episode, what does Styron realize about his illness?
(a) That he needs to get a handle on it.
(b) That he is recovering.
(c) That he is a very weak person to let it rule his life.
(d) It will take his life if allowed to continue.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Styron feel about his Connecticut farmhouse?

2. Which group of people have more incidence of depression than all others?

3. Styron dates the onset of his deep depression to what event?

4. What philosophical question does Gary present as central to all philosophy; a question that confuses Styron until years later when he suffers his depression?

5. What does Styron's psychiatrist do that sends him into a deep depression?

(see the answer key)

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