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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which novel character does Styron compare himself with?
(a) Rhett Butler from "Gone With the Wind."
(b) Captain Ahab from "Moby Dick."
(c) Emma Bovary from "Madame Bovary."
(d) Lennie from "Of Mice and Men."

2. For Styron, what do the black whirling stars of Van Gogh represent?
(a) The darkness of depression.
(b) The everlasting nature of man's soul.
(c) The beauty of the night sky.
(d) Precursors of his plunge into dementia and self-annihilation.

3. What is so frustrating about depression for artists, musicians, and scientists?
(a) The inability to explain and convey it to others who haven't had it.
(b) It affects many of their families.
(c) Frequent hospitalizations with their depresion interrupts their lives.
(d) It interferes with their work.

4. Why does Styron say he was betrayed the summer before he was hospitalized?
(a) His friends deserted him.
(b) He could not longer drink any alcohol at all.
(c) His doctor treated him with the wrong drug.
(d) His wife cheated on him.

5. What reason does Styron give for taking the prescribed medicines without question?
(a) His doctor threathened the hospital if he didn't take it.
(b) He didn't know anything about the medicine.
(c) He was told the medicine was harmless.
(d) He was too depressed to notice.

6. What does Styron say about people who survive a depressive episode?
(a) They come out with few permanent wounds.
(b) They are weak people who just happened to endure an episode.
(c) They are very strong people but succumb to a weakness.
(d) They are permanently damaged mentally.

7. During the dinner party, what does Styron do with his diary?
(a) He hides it from his friends and wife.
(b) He wraps it and throws it in the garbage.
(c) He gives it to a friend to publish.
(d) He reads portions of it to his friends.

8. What does Styron's psychiatrist recommend to him about the hospital?
(a) To plan on staying for a year in the hospital.
(b) To avoid the hospital at all costs.
(c) To go to a hospital in Paris so no one would know.
(d) To go to the hospital for treatment.

9. What three brand-name items does Styron use to destroy his diary?
(a) None, just throws it away in the garbage.
(b) Diamond matches, Kingsford Charcoal lighter, and Viva towels.
(c) Viva towels, Scotch tape, and Post Raisin Bran cereal box.
(d) Cheez-its box, 3M tape, and Brawny towels.

10. To what does Styron compare medical treatment for depression?
(a) To cancer treatment.
(b) To fighting infection before the discovery of penicillin.
(c) To a child's early life.
(d) To the early evolution of dinosaurs.

11. What note does Styron want to copy for his goodbye letter?
(a) "This is the end. Don't mourn."
(b) "No more words; an act. I'll never write again."
(c) "I am sorry for any pain I cause. My pain is greater."
(d) "Life is no longer worth it."

12. Styron compares the theories about depression to the theories about what?
(a) The world is square/round debate.
(b) Dinosaurs and Black Holes.
(c) Creation.
(d) Evolution.

13. How long does Styron have to stay in the hospital?
(a) Two weeks.
(b) Seven weeks.
(c) Almost a year.
(d) A month.

14. What does Styron believe he needs to get well that can be provided by the hospital?
(a) A controlled environment and more time.
(b) Psychotherapy.
(c) More medicine.
(d) Freedom from other people and their advise.

15. In the movie, "Through a Glass Darkly," the hallucination that the actress has is about what?
(a) Getting lost in the woods
(b) A spider trying to sexually attack her.
(c) Monsters in her closet.
(d) Snakes crawling on the ceiling.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Styron consult with Dr. Gold, who he didn't feel could really help him?

2. What does Styron say would prevent many suicides?

3. What famous poet does Styron name as an example of excellent works by a depressed person?

4. What is a common occurrence in people planning suicide?

5. Why does he throw his diary in the garbage instead of burning it?

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