The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?

1922

1915

1940

1921
2 Claude McKay was a central figure in which literary movement?

The Beat Movement

The Romantics

The Harlem Renaissance

American Gothic
3 What did McKay's later editor Alain Locke change the title of "The White House" to?

Spring Sonnets

White Houses

Sharp as Steel

Courage and Grace
4 Which poetic form does the "The White House" use?

Ode

Blank verse

Sonnet

Villanelle
5 Which of the following is an example of simile used in the poem?

And I am sharp as steel with discontent (Line 2)

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

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

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)
6 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?

Religion

Racism

Resilience

Hatred and oppression
7 Which of the following is an example of metaphor in the poem?

And I am sharp as steel with discontent (Line 2)

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

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

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

Smooth and carpet-like.

Burning hot.

Freezing cold.

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

Angry and proud.

Exhausted and resigned.

Confused and anxious.

Optimistic and joyful.
10 Which of the following is an example of irony?

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

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

A chafing savage, down the decent street; Where boldly shines your shuttered door of glass. (Lines 7-8)

But I possess the courage and the grace / To bear my anger proudly and unbent. (Lines 3-4)
11 Which of the following is NOT a word the speaker uses to describe themselves in the poem?

Chafing

Exhausted

Wrathful

Sore
12 What meter is the poem written in?

Iambic tetrameter

No set meter

Iambic pentameter

Dactylic hexameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?

Deep in my wrathful bosom

I must keep my heart inviolate

shines your shuttered door

I possess the courage and the grace
14 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

AABB CCCDD EEFF GG
15 What perspective is the poem narrated from?

First person

First person plural

Third person omniscient

Third person limited
16 As used in Line 13, what does the word "inviolate" mean?

free or safe from injury or violation

powerful retaliation

unblemished and clear

strong and barely controllable emotion
17 What does the speaker need in order to hold to the letter of law?

Anger

Racism

Superhuman power

Discontent
18 How does "The White House" differ from a traditional sonnet?

It uses simile and metaphor.

It does not follow a set meter.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.
19 Where was McKay born?

Jamaica

Cuba

Harlem, New York

United States
20 "And I am sharp as ___ with discontent."

metal

glass

steel

poison
21 Which of the following is true of Claude McKay?

He was not politically engaged.

He rejected all traditional forms and structures in his poetry.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?

Whenever they are wronged

Occassionally

Never

Every hour
23 The hatred of white supremacists is described as ___.

Steel

A mountain

A potent poison

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

Three times

Twice

Four times

Once
25 As used in Line 7, the word "decent" means ___.

kind, obliging, and generous

appropriate; fitting

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

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