The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?

1940

1921

1915

1922
2 Claude McKay was a central figure in which literary movement?

American Gothic

The Romantics

The Harlem Renaissance

The Beat Movement
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

Villanelle

Ode

Blank verse
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)

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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

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

Racism

Resilience

Religion

Hatred and oppression
7 Which of the following is an example of metaphor in the poem?

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

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

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?

Painful and sharp.

Freezing cold.

Burning hot.

Smooth and carpet-like.
9 Which of the following best describes the tone of the speaker?

Exhausted and resigned.

Optimistic and joyful.

Confused and anxious.

Angry and proud.
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)

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)

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?

Chafing

Exhausted

Wrathful

Sore
12 What meter is the poem written in?

Iambic tetrameter

Dactylic hexameter

Iambic pentameter

No set meter
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?

AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG

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

Third person omniscient

First person

First person plural

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

free or safe from injury or violation

powerful retaliation

strong and barely controllable emotion

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

Discontent

Racism

Superhuman power

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

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

It uses simile and metaphor.

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

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

United States

Cuba

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 was not politically engaged.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.

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?

Occassionally

Whenever they are wronged

Never

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

A mountain

A potent poison

Steel

A wrathful bosom
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

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

appropriate; fitting

kind, obliging, and generous

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