The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1921

1915

1922

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

The Harlem Renaissance

American Gothic

The Beat Movement
3 What did McKay's later editor Alain Locke change the title of "The White House" to?
Sharp as Steel

Spring Sonnets

White Houses

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

Villanelle

Blank verse

Ode
5 Which of the following is an example of simile used in the poem?
the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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)
6 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?
Resilience

Racism

Religion

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)

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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

Deep in my wrathful bosom sore and raw, (Line 10)
8 How does the speaker describe the sensation of the street on their feet?
Painful and sharp.

Smooth and carpet-like.

Freezing cold.

Burning hot.
9 Which of the following best describes the tone of the speaker?
Confused and anxious.

Angry and proud.

Exhausted and resigned.

Optimistic and joyful.
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)

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)

Oh, I must search for wisdom every hour (Line 9)
11 Which of the following is NOT a word the speaker uses to describe themselves in the poem?
Chafing

Wrathful

Sore

Exhausted
12 What meter is the poem written in?
Iambic pentameter

No set meter

Dactylic hexameter

Iambic tetrameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
Deep in my wrathful bosom

I possess the courage and the grace

I must keep my heart inviolate

shines your shuttered door
14 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG

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

Third person limited

First person plural

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

unblemished and clear

free or safe from injury or violation

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

Anger

Discontent

Superhuman power
18 How does "The White House" differ from a traditional sonnet?
It does not follow a set meter.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

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

Jamaica

Harlem, New York

Cuba
20 "And I am sharp as ___ with discontent."
glass

steel

poison

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

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

He was not politically engaged.

He rejected all traditional forms and structures in his poetry.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?
Whenever they are wronged

Never

Occassionally

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

A potent poison

A wrathful bosom

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

Twice

Once

Three times
25 As used in Line 7, the word "decent" means ___.
conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

kind, obliging, and generous

appropriate; fitting

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

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