The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?

1940

1921

1922

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

The Harlem Renaissance

American Gothic

The Beat Movement

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

Spring Sonnets

Sharp as Steel

Courage and Grace

White Houses
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?

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

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

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

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)
6 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?

Resilience

Racism

Hatred and oppression

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

Deep in my wrathful bosom sore and raw, (Line 10)

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

Painful and sharp.

Burning hot.

Smooth and carpet-like.

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

Angry and proud.

Optimistic and joyful.

Confused and anxious.

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)

But I possess the courage and the grace / To bear my anger proudly and unbent. (Lines 3-4)

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

Exhausted

Sore

Chafing
12 What meter is the poem written in?

Dactylic hexameter

No set meter

Iambic tetrameter

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

Deep in my wrathful bosom

I possess the courage and the grace

I must keep my heart inviolate

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?

Third person limited

Third person omniscient

First person plural

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

free or safe from injury or violation

unblemished and clear

powerful retaliation

strong and barely controllable emotion
17 What does the speaker need in order to hold to the letter of law?

Discontent

Racism

Anger

Superhuman power
18 How does "The White House" differ from a traditional sonnet?

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

It uses simile and metaphor.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

It does not follow a set meter.
19 Where was McKay born?

Harlem, New York

United States

Jamaica

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

metal

glass

steel

poison
21 Which of the following is true of Claude McKay?

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.

He was not politically engaged.

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

He rejected all traditional forms and structures in his poetry.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?

Never

Every hour

Whenever they are wronged

Occassionally
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?

Twice

Three times

Four times

Once
25 As used in Line 7, the word "decent" means ___.

appropriate; fitting

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

kind, obliging, and generous

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