The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1922

1915

1921

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

American Gothic

The Romantics

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

White Houses

Spring Sonnets

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

Sonnet

Blank verse

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

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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

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

Hatred and oppression

Resilience

Religion
7 Which of the following is an example of metaphor in the poem?
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)

And I am sharp as steel with discontent (Line 2)
8 How does the speaker describe the sensation of the street on their feet?
Burning hot.

Smooth and carpet-like.

Freezing cold.

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

Angry and proud.

Optimistic and joyful.

Exhausted and resigned.
10 Which of the following is an example of irony?
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)

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

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?
Sore

Chafing

Exhausted

Wrathful
12 What meter is the poem written in?
Dactylic hexameter

Iambic pentameter

No set meter

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

shines your shuttered door

I must keep my heart inviolate

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?
strong and barely controllable emotion

free or safe from injury or violation

unblemished and clear

powerful retaliation
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 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?
Cuba

United States

Harlem, New York

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

metal

poison

steel
21 Which of the following is true of Claude McKay?
He was not politically engaged.

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

He rejected all traditional forms and structures in his poetry.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?
Occassionally

Whenever they are wronged

Every hour

Never
23 The hatred of white supremacists is described as ___.
A wrathful bosom

Steel

A mountain

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

Three times

Twice

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

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

appropriate; fitting

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