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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What effect does Styron's op-ed piece have on the general public?
(a) Many felt he didn't deserve the del Duco award.
(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 people thought Styron was weak.

2. What does Levi's suicide cause Styron to do?
(a) Plan his own suicide.
(b) Condemn Levi for his cowardice.
(c) Denounce Levi as his friend.
(d) Write an op-ed piece to the NY Times on depression, discounting the shame most felt about it.

3. During one sleepless episode, what does Styron realize about his illness?
(a) That he is recovering.
(b) That he is a very weak person to let it rule his life.
(c) That he needs to get a handle on it.
(d) It will take his life if allowed to continue.

4. In what year does Styron first realize his illness could lead to his death?
(a) 1989.
(b) 1990.
(c) 1985.
(d) 1950.

5. What is the old term for depression?
(a) Melancholia.
(b) Mental deficit.
(c) Mania.
(d) Manic depressive.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the doctor from Johns Hopkins who gave the name depression to the disease?

2. What does Gary reveal to Styron about the effect the death of his ex-wife had on him?

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

4. What city is Styron in at the beginning of the memoir?

5. According to Styron, what often leads depressed people to commit suicide?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Cino del Duca, whom the award was named for, decide to publish works of literary merit?

2. Why were the new medicines becoming available in the 1980's and Dr. Gold's approach to them indicative of how depression was viewed and treated during that time? Why was it not sufficient?

3. What did Styron say caused the incipient insomnia that depressed people often experienced?

4. What did Styron say about his physical condition after he got released from the hospital?

5. As Styron contemplated and planned for his suicide, what two feelings did he describe?

6. What happened to Romain Gary, Styron's friend, as a result of his depression?

7. What did Styron have to say about hospitalization for depressed people?

8. Discuss why Styron was so appreciative of receiving the del Duca award?

9. What did the diary represent to Styron? What did he do with it?

10. What did Styron say was his most difficult piece of writing, and how did he describe it?

(see the answer keys)

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