The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?

1915

1921

1940

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

The Harlem Renaissance

American Gothic

The Romantics

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

Sharp as Steel

Courage and Grace

White Houses

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

Villanelle

Sonnet

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)

Oh, I must search for wisdom every hour, (Line 9)

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

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?

Optimistic and joyful.

Confused and anxious.

Exhausted and resigned.

Angry and proud.
10 Which of the following is an example of irony?

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)

But I possess the courage and the grace / To bear my anger proudly and unbent. (Lines 3-4)
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?

Iambic tetrameter

No set meter

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

Deep in my wrathful bosom

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

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

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

Third person omniscient

First person plural

Third person limited

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

powerful retaliation

free or safe from injury or violation

unblemished and clear

strong and barely controllable emotion
17 What does the speaker need in order to hold to the letter of law?

Superhuman power

Discontent

Anger

Racism
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?

Harlem, New York

Cuba

Jamaica

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

glass

metal

poison

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

He was not politically engaged.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.

He rejected all traditional forms and structures in his poetry.

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?

Never

Every hour

Whenever they are wronged

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

A wrathful bosom

A potent poison

Steel

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

Once

Three times

Twice

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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