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 Beat Movement

American Gothic

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

White Houses

Courage and Grace

Spring Sonnets

Sharp as Steel
4 Which poetic form does the "The White House" use?

Villanelle

Ode

Sonnet

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

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)

And I am sharp as steel with discontent (Line 2)
6 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?

Hatred and oppression

Resilience

Religion

Racism
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?

Freezing cold.

Burning hot.

Smooth and carpet-like.

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

Confused and anxious.

Exhausted and resigned.

Angry and proud.

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)

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)
11 Which of the following is NOT a word the speaker uses to describe themselves in the poem?

Wrathful

Chafing

Sore

Exhausted
12 What meter is the poem written in?

Iambic pentameter

Dactylic hexameter

No set meter

Iambic tetrameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?

I must keep my heart inviolate

shines your shuttered door

Deep in my wrathful bosom

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

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG

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

First person

Third person limited

First person plural

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

powerful retaliation

free or safe from injury or violation

strong and barely controllable emotion

unblemished and clear
17 What does the speaker need in order to hold to the letter of law?

Discontent

Superhuman power

Racism

Anger
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?

Cuba

United States

Harlem, New York

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

glass

poison

metal

steel
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

Every hour

Occassionally

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

A wrathful bosom

A mountain

A potent poison

Steel
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 ___.

appropriate; fitting

kind, obliging, and generous

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The White House (Claude McKay poem) is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Ask Your Own Question

Study Guide for The White House (Claude McKay poem)

The White House (Claude McKay poem) study guide contains a biography of Claude McKay, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Read the Study Guide for The White House (Claude McKay poem)…