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

2. Who is the doctor from Johns Hopkins who gave the name depression to the disease?
(a) Dr. Gold.
(b) An unnamed psychiatrist.
(c) Dr. Adolf Meier.
(d) Dr. Adkins.

3. What happens to Styron during his museum visit in Paris?
(a) He runs out and leaves the group he was with.
(b) He complains to his wife about the museum the whole time.
(c) He finds inspiration for another book.
(d) He begins to feel the late evening lethargy that always descends.

4. What three factors does Styron name as contributing to depression?
(a) Chemicals in the brain, behavior, and genetics.
(b) Family trouble, job loss, and financial worries.
(c) Early loss, weak character, and no support.
(d) Anger, fear, and desolation.

5. How does Styron's body feel in the beginning of his depression?
(a) Energetic, strong, capable, and lively.
(b) Numb, frail, disjointed, and clumsy.
(c) Manic, hyper, shaky, and strange.
(d) Heavy, lethargic, awkward, and bloated.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Styron say about assigning reasons for suicide to those who take that route?

2. Which group of people have more incidence of depression than all others?

3. What reaction does Styron have to a flock of Canadian geese?

4. How did Levi commit suicide?

5. Why is it hard for Styron to recognize depression in his friend, Gary?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why wasn't Styron concerned about Camus, his ex-wife, and Gary when he learned they were suffering from depression?

4. Where did Styron meet Abbie Hoffman, and why was Hoffman's suicide so hard to accept?

5. What devastating therapy did Styron avoid, and why did he say he was able to avoid it?

6. What does Styron say about the causes of depression?

7. What did Camus speak of that so strongly affected Styron? What relationship did Styron have with Camus?

8. Why was the suicide of Albert Camus and Romain Gary so devastating to Styron?

9. Styron describes what common factor among almost all depressed persons contemplating suicide?

10. What sort of therapy was used to help Styron overcome his depression?

(see the answer keys)

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