The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1940

1915

1922

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

The Romantics

The Beat Movement

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

Spring Sonnets

Courage and Grace

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

Sonnet

Villanelle

Blank verse
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?
Hatred and oppression

Resilience

Racism

Religion
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)

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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

Smooth and carpet-like.

Painful and sharp.

Freezing cold.
9 Which of the following best describes the tone of the speaker?
Optimistic and joyful.

Angry and proud.

Exhausted and resigned.

Confused and anxious.
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?
Sore

Exhausted

Wrathful

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

No set meter

Dactylic hexameter

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

I possess the courage and the grace

shines your shuttered door

I must keep my heart inviolate
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

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

strong and barely controllable emotion

unblemished and clear

powerful retaliation
17 What does the speaker need in order to hold to the letter of law?
Superhuman power

Anger

Racism

Discontent
18 How does "The White House" differ from a traditional sonnet?
It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

It uses simile and metaphor.

It does not follow a set meter.

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

Jamaica

Harlem, New York

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

glass

steel

metal
21 Which of the following is true of Claude McKay?
He rejected all traditional forms and structures in his poetry.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.

He was not politically engaged.

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

Never

Every hour

Whenever they are wronged
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?
Four times

Three times

Once

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

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

kind, obliging, and generous

appropriate; fitting

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