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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 chilren all leaving home.
(d) His wife's leaving him.

2. How does Styron feel about his Connecticut farmhouse?
(a) He hates the house, preferring Martha's Vineyard.
(b) He thinks it needed lots of work.
(c) He loves spending time there.
(d) It feels ominous to him.

3. 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) Does man depend on other men?
(b) Are all suicides due to weak character?
(c) Why does life have hardships?
(d) Is life worth living?

4. What does he think about art therapy?
(a) He would rather write than paint or draw.
(b) Skeptical because of the teacher's overly effusive praise, but eventually likes it.
(c) Too difficult hard.
(d) A waste of time.

5. What is a probable reason that Styron's doctor or family don't suggest hospitalization for him?
(a) They don't think it would help him.
(b) The social stigma and the fact that mental illness is not tangible or visible.
(c) They don't know he was that bad.
(d) He gets angry whenever they approach the subject.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Styron say about assigning reasons for suicide to those who take that route?

2. What does Styron believe about a depressed colleague's decision to ride with a reckless driver?

3. What does Styron say depression is like?

4. Where does Styron spend his summers?

5. What starts Styron's downward spiral into depression?

(see the answer key)

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