The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?

1940

1922

1915

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

The Beat Movement

The Romantics

American Gothic

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

White Houses

Spring Sonnets

Sharp as Steel

Courage and Grace
4 Which poetic form does the "The White House" use?

Villanelle

Ode

Blank verse

Sonnet
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)

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

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

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?

To hold me to the letter of your law! (Line 12)

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

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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.

Smooth and carpet-like.

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

Exhausted and resigned.

Angry and proud.

Confused and anxious.

Optimistic and joyful.
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

Chafing

Exhausted

Wrathful
12 What meter is the poem written in?

Dactylic hexameter

No set meter

Iambic pentameter

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

I must keep my heart inviolate

I possess the courage and the grace

shines your shuttered door

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

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG

AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

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

First person

First person plural

Third person limited

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

unblemished and clear

strong and barely controllable emotion

powerful retaliation

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

Superhuman power

Racism

Anger

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

It does not follow a set meter.

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

It uses simile and metaphor.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.
19 Where was McKay born?

Cuba

United States

Harlem, New York

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

poison

glass

steel

metal
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?

Whenever they are wronged

Every hour

Never

Occassionally
23 The hatred of white supremacists is described as ___.

A mountain

Steel

A wrathful bosom

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

Twice

Once

Four times

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

kind, obliging, and generous

appropriate; fitting

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

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