Print
Word
PDF
|
| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. According to Styron, what is between Gaelic and Americana?
2. What is Styron not able to recover?
3. What two people does Styron think of while leaving Paris?
4. What effect does Styron's op-ed piece have on the general public?
5. What starts Styron's downward spiral into depression?
Short Essay Questions
1. Discuss the death of the poet, Randall Jarrell, who was a friend of Styron's. Was his death a suicide or accident, according to the coroner? What did Styron suspect, and why?
2. Why did Styron say he believes he lost the award check?
3. What did Styron have to say about hospitalization for depressed people?
4. For the most part, the people Styron list as suffering from depression are artistic types or philosophers. Discuss why this may be so?
5. What indications of Gary's depression did Styron mention?
6. Discuss how Styron says he attempted to handle the increasing malaise that began to overcome him beginning in the summer.
7. Why wasn't Styron concerned about Camus, his ex-wife, and Gary when he learned they were suffering from depression?
8. What does Styron say about the causes of depression?
9. Why was the suicide of Albert Camus and Romain Gary so devastating to Styron?
10. What did Styron say about the impression his intense thoughts of suicide would have on others?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Discuss in detail how Styron's illness affected him while he was in Paris to accept his award. Follow him through the course of that day and explain how changes in his mood affected him at various points during his activities that day. Explain his mood shifts by following the narrative as Styron reveals his moods to the reader.
Essay Topic 2
Discuss Styron's thoughts about human resiliency and social report and provide examples from the book. How important are each of these to an individual's recovery and survival?
Essay Topic 3
Discuss Styron's opinions about the roles biology (genetics, brain chemicals, and influence of meds and alcohol) and environmental factors have in the development of depression. Use passages from the book to support your answers.
|
This section contains 941 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
|
