The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1922

1915

1940

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

The Romantics

The Beat Movement

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

Sharp as Steel

White Houses

Spring Sonnets
4 Which poetic form does the "The White House" use?
Blank verse

Villanelle

Sonnet

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)

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

as I pass, / A chafing savage, down the decent street (Lines 6-7)
6 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?
Religion

Hatred and oppression

Resilience

Racism
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)

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

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)
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?
Confused and anxious.

Angry and proud.

Exhausted and resigned.

Optimistic and joyful.
10 Which of the following is an example of irony?
Oh, I must search for wisdom every hour (Line 9)

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)

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?
Sore

Wrathful

Chafing

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

Dactylic hexameter

Iambic tetrameter

Iambic pentameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
I possess the courage and the grace

Deep in my wrathful bosom

I must keep my heart inviolate

shines your shuttered door
14 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG
15 What perspective is the poem narrated from?
Third person omniscient

First person

Third person limited

First person plural
16 As used in Line 13, what does the word "inviolate" mean?
strong and barely controllable emotion

unblemished and clear

free or safe from injury or violation

powerful retaliation
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 uses simile and metaphor.

It does not follow a set meter.

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.
19 Where was McKay born?
United States

Cuba

Harlem, New York

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

steel

glass

poison
21 Which of the following is true of Claude McKay?
He was not politically engaged.

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.

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

Never

Occassionally

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

Steel

A mountain

A wrathful bosom
24 How many times is the phrase "Oh, I must" repeated in the poem?
Once

Twice

Three times

Four 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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