The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1921

1915

1922

1940
2 Claude McKay was a central figure in which literary movement?
The Harlem Renaissance

The Romantics

American Gothic

The Beat Movement
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

Blank verse

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)

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

Religion

Racism

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

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.

Burning hot.

Smooth and carpet-like.

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

Optimistic and joyful.

Exhausted and resigned.

Confused and anxious.
10 Which of the following is an example of irony?
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)

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

Sore

Chafing

Exhausted
12 What meter is the poem written in?
Dactylic hexameter

Iambic tetrameter

Iambic pentameter

No set meter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
Deep in my wrathful bosom

I must keep my heart inviolate

I possess the courage and the grace

shines your shuttered door
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 plural

Third person omniscient

First person

Third person limited
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?
Racism

Discontent

Anger

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

It does not follow a set meter.

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

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

Cuba

Harlem, New York

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

steel

glass

poison
21 Which of the following is true of Claude McKay?
He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

He was not politically engaged.

He rejected all traditional forms and structures in his poetry.

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

Every hour

Occassionally

Whenever they are wronged
23 The hatred of white supremacists is described as ___.
A wrathful bosom

A potent poison

A mountain

Steel
24 How many times is the phrase "Oh, I must" repeated in the poem?
Twice

Four times

Once

Three times
25 As used in Line 7, the word "decent" means ___.
an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

appropriate; fitting

kind, obliging, and generous

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

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