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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Sir Walter Scott and the Brontes linked what two illnesses interchangeably?
(a) Melancholia and hypochondria.
(b) Influenza and depression.
(c) Cancer and depression.
(d) Lukemia and depression.

2. What does Styron call the DSM?
(a) The psychiatrist's bible.
(b) A good manual.
(c) A guide to treatment.
(d) Very inaccurate guide.

3. What does Styron think after his flashback?
(a) That he didn't like visiting Paris.
(b) That he has come full circle.
(c) That he did have some good times in the past.
(d) That his life has been great.

4. What does the suicide of another of Styron's friends lead him to believe?
(a) That life isn't worth living.
(b) That he would soon have to face the fact that his own suicide is his only way out.
(c) That he isn't a very good friend to others since he can't help them.
(d) That his friends must be weak.

5. Why is Styron not worried about the loss?
(a) He knows he will be okay later.
(b) He feels he is justified in getting angry.
(c) He is so depressed and lethargic that nothing matters to him.
(d) He knows his friend will be his friend again.

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

7. What effect does Styron's op-ed piece have on the general public?
(a) Many people thought Styron was weak.
(b) Many felt he was justified in feeling depressed.
(c) Many suffering from depression were suddenly willing to come forward and admit it.
(d) Many felt he didn't deserve the del Duco award.

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

9. How did Levi's friends and admirers react to his suicide?
(a) They didn't believe it.
(b) They were devastated and grieved over it.
(c) They tried to ignore him and his work after that.
(d) They were mystified and believed him to be weak.

10. Right before the onset of his depression, Styron begins to suffer from what?
(a) Hypochondria.
(b) Excessive sleepiness.
(c) Lack of sexual interest.
(d) Extreme joy.

11. What reaction to the op-ed piece causes Styron to decide to write this memoir?
(a) People indicated they just didn't understand depression.
(b) He learned his piece had saved someone's life, so wanted to reach out with more information.
(c) His editor asked him to write the memoir.
(d) The number of people reacting positively causes him to think sharing his experiences would be beneficial.

12. What is the term Styron uses to better describe what is happening to a person with depression?
(a) Mourning for loss.
(b) A blue funk.
(c) A weak psyche.
(d) A brain storm.

13. Why is it hard for Styron to recognize depression in his friend, Gary?
(a) Because he didn't know what depression looked like.
(b) Because Gary was so good at hiding his feelings.
(c) Because Gary always had a melancholy typical of Europeans.
(d) Because he rarely talked to Gary.

14. What does Styron lose at the luncheon in Paris?
(a) His best friend.
(b) His check for $25,000.
(c) Control of his anger.
(d) His mind.

15. What does Gary reveal to Styron about the effect the death of his ex-wife had on him?
(a) He began to suffer greatly from deep depression.
(b) He was afraid she had committed suicide.
(c) He finally felt free again.
(d) He was afraid he would be suspected in her death.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Styron, who wrote about depression and seemed to really understand it?

2. What did Styron's friend, Abbie Hoffman, do professionally?

3. In the depth of his depression in Paris, what does Styron realize he would have to decide?

4. What is Styron not able to recover?

5. What does Gary confess to Styron about Camus's depression?

(see the answer keys)

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