The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1922

1921

1940

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

The Harlem Renaissance

The Beat Movement

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

Sharp as Steel

Spring Sonnets

White Houses
4 Which poetic form does the "The White House" use?
Sonnet

Blank verse

Ode

Villanelle
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)

And I am sharp as steel with discontent (Line 2)

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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

Racism

Hatred and oppression

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

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

Burning hot.

Painful and sharp.

Smooth and carpet-like.
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?
Wrathful

Chafing

Exhausted

Sore
12 What meter is the poem written in?
No set meter

Dactylic hexameter

Iambic pentameter

Iambic tetrameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
I must keep my heart inviolate

shines your shuttered door

I possess the courage and the grace

Deep in my wrathful bosom
14 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG
15 What perspective is the poem narrated from?
First person plural

Third person limited

First person

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

strong and barely controllable emotion

free or safe from injury or violation

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

Superhuman power

Discontent

Racism
18 How does "The White House" differ from a traditional sonnet?
It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

It does not follow a set meter.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

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

Jamaica

United States

Harlem, New York
20 "And I am sharp as ___ with discontent."
poison

steel

metal

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

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

He was not politically engaged.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?
Never

Occassionally

Whenever they are wronged

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

A potent poison

A wrathful bosom

Steel
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 ___.
kind, obliging, and generous

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

appropriate; fitting

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

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