The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1922

1940

1921

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?
Courage and Grace

Sharp as Steel

White Houses

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

Sonnet

Ode

Villanelle
5 Which of the following is an example of simile used in the poem?
Oh, I must search for wisdom every hour, (Line 9)

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)
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?
Burning hot.

Painful and sharp.

Smooth and carpet-like.

Freezing cold.
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?
A chafing savage, down the decent street; Where boldly shines your shuttered door of glass. (Lines 7-8)

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)

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?
Sore

Exhausted

Wrathful

Chafing
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 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?
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

First person plural

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

strong and barely controllable emotion

powerful retaliation

free or safe from injury or violation
17 What does the speaker need in order to hold to the letter of law?
Discontent

Anger

Superhuman power

Racism
18 How does "The White House" differ from a traditional sonnet?
It does not follow a set meter.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

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

Cuba

United States

Harlem, New York
20 "And I am sharp as ___ with discontent."
steel

metal

poison

glass
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?
Never

Every hour

Whenever they are wronged

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

A wrathful bosom

A potent poison

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

Once

Four times

Twice
25 As used in Line 7, the word "decent" means ___.
appropriate; fitting

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

kind, obliging, and generous

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

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