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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What does Styron say about alcohol's mood-altering characteristics?
2. During one sleepless episode, what does Styron realize about his illness?
3. What is Styron not able to recover?
4. What is the old term for depression?
5. What does Styron lose at the luncheon in Paris?
Short Essay Questions
1. What other changes occurred with Styron beside mental distress?
2. Why did Styron say he believes he lost the award check?
3. What happened to Styron's body as he succumbed to depression?
4. What did Styron say about someone being able to describe depression?
5. For the most part, the people Styron list as suffering from depression are artistic types or philosophers. Discuss why this may be so?
6. 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?
7. What did Styron say was his most difficult piece of writing, and how did he describe it?
8. What happened to Styron's first work and what was its title?
9. Who did Styron say the depressed person was dangerous to, and why?
10. What sort of attachments did Styron form as his depression progressed?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Styron repeatedly mentions about how much a strong social support of family and friends is important to a person's recovery. He makes a slight mention of his wife as support, and a couple of friends, yet he leaves out but little of the discussion of family support. Was he trying to protect his family? What is the relationship between private and public lives? What kind of support system do you feel he had?
Essay Topic 2
The title of Styron's book, "Darkness Visible," comes from a quote from Milton's "Paradise Lost," describing Hell. Discuss why Styron might have chosen such a work to quote from. What about his condition might have led him to be attracted to such a work? What is the significance of choosing a quote describing hell to open his memoir on depression?
Essay Topic 3
Discuss Styron' s quote from his book, "A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted. You should live several lives while reading it." If this statement is indeed true, did Styron fulfill that quote? Explain why or why not. Do you agree with this quote? Give examples pinpointing the point from the book.
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This section contains 968 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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