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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What term does Styron use to describe his depression?
(a) A black tempest.
(b) An excruciating pain.
(c) A deep hole.
(d) A hole in his heart.

3. As horrible as this hallucination is, what does Styron say about Bergman, who wrote the script?
(a) He wanted to show what depression looks like.
(b) He was trying to scare depressed people.
(c) That he had barely touched on the true horror of a depressed person.
(d) He was a depressed person himself.

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

5. What events led to Abraham Lincoln suffering depression and even attempting suicide?
(a) Slavery in the South.
(b) The death of his mother when he was 9 and his sister 10 years later.
(c) His wife's infidelity.
(d) The Civil War.

6. Why did Styron's publisher have to reschedule a photo session?
(a) Styron was in the hospital.
(b) Styron had left to go to Paris.
(c) Styron refused to come out of his room.
(d) Styron had only smiled in a few pictures but still looked as if in despair.

7. According to Styron, what is the touchstone of depression?
(a) Support.
(b) Loss.
(c) Suicide.
(d) Medicine.

8. At the dinner party, how does Styron react to the four friends?
(a) He cries throughout the dinner because of his depression.
(b) He is catatonic and does not speak.
(c) He gets angry and speaks hatefully to them.
(d) He brags through the whole dinner party about his accomplishments.

9. In addition to anxiety, what other characteristic of depression becomes manifest?
(a) Argumentative with family and friends.
(b) Deep, dark imaginings.
(c) An inability to be still, constantly moving.
(d) Incessant talking.

10. How does Styron mange to avoid the recommended shock treatment?
(a) His doctor doesn't believe in it.
(b) He begins to get better immediately.
(c) He refuses to let them do it.
(d) He pretends that he had already had it.

11. What is the third stage of psychological development in depression?
(a) Extreme fear of abandonment.
(b) Suicide.
(c) Withdrawal.
(d) Seclusion.

12. What is Styron's first dream in many months?
(a) His wife leaving him.
(b) A demon, a fire, and his own death.
(c) A flock of Canadian geese.
(d) A flute, a wild goose, and a dancing girl.

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

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

15. What does the depression and sense of hopelessness cause Styron to do?
(a) Go to bed for hours every day.
(b) Run away from his wife and home.
(c) Write even more in an attempt to understand it.
(d) Try to kill himself.

Short Answer Questions

1. What piece of music moves Styron to his breakthrough and hospitalization?

2. How did Lincoln attempt to vanquish death due to his own hand?

3. According to Styron, what is a frequent theme in his novels?

4. According to Styron, what would be the only answer if depression was incurable?

5. What new approach does Styron's psychiatrist use?

(see the answer keys)

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