The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1922

1921

1915

1940
2 Claude McKay was a central figure in which literary movement?
The Harlem Renaissance

American Gothic

The Beat Movement

The Romantics
3 What did McKay's later editor Alain Locke change the title of "The White House" to?
Courage and Grace

Sharp as Steel

Spring Sonnets

White Houses
4 Which poetic form does the "The White House" use?
Villanelle

Ode

Blank verse

Sonnet
5 Which of the following is an example of simile used in the poem?
And I am sharp as steel with discontent (Line 2)

as I pass, / A chafing savage, down the decent street (Lines 6-7)

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

Oh, I must search for wisdom every hour, (Line 9)
6 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?
Hatred and oppression

Religion

Racism

Resilience
7 Which of the following is an example of metaphor in the poem?
And I am sharp as steel with discontent (Line 2)

Deep in my wrathful bosom sore and raw, (Line 10)

To hold me to the letter of your law! (Line 12)

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)
8 How does the speaker describe the sensation of the street on their feet?
Freezing cold.

Smooth and carpet-like.

Burning hot.

Painful and sharp.
9 Which of the following best describes the tone of the speaker?
Optimistic and joyful.

Exhausted and resigned.

Confused and anxious.

Angry and proud.
10 Which of the following is an example of irony?
But I possess the courage and the grace / To bear my anger proudly and unbent. (Lines 3-4)

Oh, I must search for wisdom every hour (Line 9)

Your door is shut against my tightened face (Line 1)

A chafing savage, down the decent street; Where boldly shines your shuttered door of glass. (Lines 7-8)
11 Which of the following is NOT a word the speaker uses to describe themselves in the poem?
Wrathful

Chafing

Exhausted

Sore
12 What meter is the poem written in?
Iambic tetrameter

Dactylic hexameter

No set meter

Iambic pentameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
I must keep my heart inviolate

shines your shuttered door

I possess the courage and the grace

Deep in my wrathful bosom
14 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG

AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
15 What perspective is the poem narrated from?
First person

Third person limited

Third person omniscient

First person plural
16 As used in Line 13, what does the word "inviolate" mean?
powerful retaliation

strong and barely controllable emotion

unblemished and clear

free or safe from injury or violation
17 What does the speaker need in order to hold to the letter of law?
Discontent

Anger

Racism

Superhuman power
18 How does "The White House" differ from a traditional sonnet?
It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

It does not follow a set meter.

It uses simile and metaphor.
19 Where was McKay born?
Cuba

Jamaica

United States

Harlem, New York
20 "And I am sharp as ___ with discontent."
poison

metal

glass

steel
21 Which of the following is true of Claude McKay?
The FBI prepared a file about his activities.

He rejected all traditional forms and structures in his poetry.

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

He was not politically engaged.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?
Whenever they are wronged

Every hour

Never

Occassionally
23 The hatred of white supremacists is described as ___.
Steel

A wrathful bosom

A potent poison

A mountain
24 How many times is the phrase "Oh, I must" repeated in the poem?
Once

Three times

Twice

Four times
25 As used in Line 7, the word "decent" means ___.
kind, obliging, and generous

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

appropriate; fitting

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