The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?

1940

1921

1915

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

The Romantics

The Harlem Renaissance

American Gothic

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

White Houses

Sharp as Steel

Spring Sonnets

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

Sonnet

Ode

Blank verse

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

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

as I pass, / A chafing savage, down the decent street (Lines 6-7)

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?

Racism

Resilience

Religion

Hatred and oppression
7 Which of the following is an example of metaphor in the poem?

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

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

Deep in my wrathful bosom sore and raw, (Line 10)

To hold me to the letter of your law! (Line 12)
8 How does the speaker describe the sensation of the street on their feet?

Burning hot.

Freezing cold.

Painful and sharp.

Smooth and carpet-like.
9 Which of the following best describes the tone of the speaker?

Exhausted and resigned.

Angry and proud.

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)

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)

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?

Exhausted

Wrathful

Sore

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?

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?

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG
15 What perspective is the poem narrated from?

First person

Third person limited

First person plural

Third person omniscient
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

Superhuman power

Anger

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

It uses simile and metaphor.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

It does not follow a set meter.

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

Jamaica

United States

Cuba

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

metal

poison

steel

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

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.

He was not politically engaged.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?

Occassionally

Never

Every hour

Whenever they are wronged
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?

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

appropriate; fitting

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

kind, obliging, and generous

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