The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?

1921

1940

1922

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

The Harlem Renaissance

The Romantics

The Beat Movement

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

Spring Sonnets

Sharp as Steel

White Houses

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

Ode

Sonnet

Villanelle

Blank verse
5 Which of the following is an example of simile used in the poem?

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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

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

Resilience

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

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)

Deep in my wrathful bosom sore and raw, (Line 10)
8 How does the speaker describe the sensation of the street on their feet?

Smooth and carpet-like.

Painful and sharp.

Freezing cold.

Burning hot.
9 Which of the following best describes the tone of the speaker?

Confused and anxious.

Exhausted and resigned.

Optimistic and joyful.

Angry and proud.
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)

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?

Wrathful

Chafing

Sore

Exhausted
12 What meter is the poem written in?

Iambic tetrameter

No set meter

Iambic pentameter

Dactylic hexameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?

shines your shuttered door

I possess the courage and the grace

Deep in my wrathful bosom

I must keep my heart inviolate
14 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

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

First person

First person plural

Third person omniscient

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

powerful retaliation

strong and barely controllable emotion

free or safe from injury or violation

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

Racism

Superhuman power

Anger

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

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

It does not follow a set meter.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

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

United States

Harlem, New York

Jamaica

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

steel

poison

glass

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

He rejected all traditional forms and structures in his poetry.

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

He was not politically engaged.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?

Whenever they are wronged

Occassionally

Every hour

Never
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?

Three times

Twice

Once

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

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

appropriate; fitting

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

kind, obliging, and generous

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