The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1922

1940

1921

1915
2 Claude McKay was a central figure in which literary movement?
American Gothic

The Beat Movement

The Harlem Renaissance

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

Sharp as Steel

Courage and Grace

Spring Sonnets
4 Which poetic form does the "The White House" use?
Blank verse

Ode

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)

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

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

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)
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?
the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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)
8 How does the speaker describe the sensation of the street on their feet?
Freezing cold.

Painful and sharp.

Smooth and carpet-like.

Burning hot.
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?
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)

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

Wrathful

Chafing

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

Iambic tetrameter

No set meter

Dactylic hexameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
I possess the courage and the grace

I must keep my heart inviolate

Deep in my wrathful bosom

shines your shuttered door
14 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
AABA CDCDC EFFE GG

ABBA CDDDC 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?
strong and barely controllable emotion

unblemished and clear

powerful retaliation

free or safe from injury or violation
17 What does the speaker need in order to hold to the letter of law?
Anger

Discontent

Racism

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

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

It does not follow a set meter.

It uses simile and metaphor.
19 Where was McKay born?
Harlem, New York

Jamaica

United States

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

poison

steel

glass
21 Which of the following is true of Claude McKay?
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.

He was not politically engaged.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?
Every hour

Occassionally

Whenever they are wronged

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

Steel

A potent poison

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

Once

Three times

Twice
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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