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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Styron, what would be the only answer if depression was incurable?
(a) Total care by a loved one.
(b) Suicide.
(c) Long term hospitalization.
(d) A life of horror.

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

3. Who does Styron compare his psychiatrist to?
(a) His wife.
(b) The parish priest in "Madame Bovary."
(c) His friend, Gary.
(d) A quack.

4. What is Styron's avoidance of death due to?
(a) His love for his wife.
(b) The recognition he got from others.
(c) His writings and intellectual endeavors.
(d) His homage to his mother.

5. Though depression tends to recur, what advantage do sufferers of recurrence have?
(a) They are already on medicines.
(b) Their family knows what to do for them.
(c) They know the best doctors and hospitals to use.
(d) They know it is curable and know how to work through it.

6. Styron dates the onset of his deep depression to what event?
(a) His wife's leaving him.
(b) The death of several of his friends.
(c) His inability to drink alcohol.
(d) His chilren all leaving home.

7. What does Styron say is absent in depression that causes it to be so difficult to endure?
(a) The hope of deliverance is absent and makes it almost impossible to endure.
(b) Medicine to treat it.
(c) Doctors who know what to do.
(d) Good hospitals.

8. From Job to Styron's day, he says artists and writers have been trying to do what?
(a) Explain the blackness of the fantasia of depression.
(b) Overcome the effects of depression that overcome artists.
(c) Build better relationships to overcome depression.
(d) Cheer up people who suffer from depression with their works.

9. What aspect of depression parallels the threshold of pain?
(a) The inability of the depressed person to absorb pain beyond predictable periods of time.
(b) Its pervasiveness.
(c) Its deep intensity.
(d) Its unrelenting nature.

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

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

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

13. What two feelings does Styron experience as he planned his suicide?
(a) Hopelessness and despair.
(b) Terror and fascination.
(c) Love for his wife and hopelessness for himself.
(d) Despondency and fear.

14. How does Styron describe his recovery from depression?
(a) He says it was a slow, painful process.
(b) He says he suddenly felt like a body with sweet bodily juices flowing through him.
(c) He says he wasn't sure he was cured.
(d) He says he was suddenly ecstatic.

15. What does Styron say would prevent many suicides?
(a) Stronger medicines.
(b) Strong support from family, friends, and professionsals.
(c) Someone to watch the depressed person at all times.
(d) Immediate hospitalization.

Short Answer Questions

1. Styron names a number of writers, poets, and sculptors who have what common underlying theme in their work?

2. What does Styron say family and friends should continue to do for the depressed person?

3. To what does Styron compare medical treatment for depression?

4. What is the third stage of psychological development in depression?

5. What conclusion can we make for what Styron says about his recovery?

(see the answer keys)

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