The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1915

1922

1921

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

The Beat Movement

The Harlem Renaissance

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

Spring Sonnets

White Houses

Sharp as Steel
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?
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?
Hatred and oppression

Resilience

Racism

Religion
7 Which of the following is an example of metaphor in the poem?
the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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

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

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.

Burning hot.

Freezing cold.

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

Exhausted and resigned.

Optimistic and joyful.

Confused and anxious.
10 Which of the following is an example of irony?
Your door is shut against my tightened face (Line 1)

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)

Oh, I must search for wisdom every hour (Line 9)
11 Which of the following is NOT a word the speaker uses to describe themselves in the poem?
Wrathful

Chafing

Exhausted

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

Iambic tetrameter

Iambic pentameter

Dactylic hexameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
I possess the courage and the grace

I must keep my heart inviolate

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

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

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

First person plural

First person

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

free or safe from injury or violation

unblemished and clear

powerful retaliation
17 What does the speaker need in order to hold to the letter of law?
Racism

Superhuman power

Discontent

Anger
18 How does "The White House" differ from a traditional sonnet?
It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

It uses simile and metaphor.

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

Harlem, New York

Jamaica

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

metal

glass

poison
21 Which of the following is true of Claude McKay?
The FBI prepared a file about his activities.

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

He was not politically engaged.

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

Whenever they are wronged

Never

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

A potent poison

A wrathful bosom

A mountain
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 ___.
conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

kind, obliging, and generous

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

appropriate; fitting

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