The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?

1922

1940

1915

1921
2 Claude McKay was a central figure in which literary movement?

American Gothic

The Romantics

The Beat Movement

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

Spring Sonnets

White Houses

Sharp as Steel

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

Sonnet

Villanelle

Blank verse

Ode
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?

Religion

Racism

Resilience

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?

Freezing cold.

Painful and sharp.

Smooth and carpet-like.

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

Exhausted and resigned.

Optimistic and joyful.

Angry and proud.

Confused and anxious.
10 Which of the following is an example of irony?

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

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)

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?

Chafing

Wrathful

Exhausted

Sore
12 What meter is the poem written in?

No set meter

Iambic tetrameter

Dactylic hexameter

Iambic pentameter
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

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

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

Third person limited

First person plural

First person

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

strong and barely controllable emotion

powerful retaliation

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?

Anger

Discontent

Racism

Superhuman power
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 does not follow a set meter.

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

Cuba

Jamaica

United States

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

poison

metal

steel

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

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

He was not politically engaged.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.

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

Never

Every hour

Occassionally

Whenever they are wronged
23 The hatred of white supremacists is described as ___.

Steel

A wrathful bosom

A mountain

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

Twice

Four times

Once

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

kind, obliging, and generous

appropriate; fitting

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

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