The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?
1915

1922

1940

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

American Gothic

The Harlem Renaissance

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

Spring Sonnets

Sharp as Steel

White Houses
4 Which poetic form does the "The White House" use?
Sonnet

Blank verse

Ode

Villanelle
5 Which of the following is an example of simile used in the poem?
And I am sharp as steel with discontent (Line 2)

the potent poison of your hate. (Line 14)

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

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?
Religion

Hatred and oppression

Resilience

Racism
7 Which of the following is an example of metaphor in the poem?
And I am sharp as steel with discontent (Line 2)

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)
8 How does the speaker describe the sensation of the street on their feet?
Freezing cold.

Burning hot.

Painful and sharp.

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

Optimistic and joyful.

Exhausted and resigned.

Confused and anxious.
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)

Your door is shut against my tightened face (Line 1)

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

Chafing

Wrathful

Sore
12 What meter is the poem written in?
Iambic tetrameter

Dactylic hexameter

No set meter

Iambic pentameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
shines your shuttered door

I must keep my heart inviolate

Deep in my wrathful bosom

I possess the courage and the grace
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

Third person omniscient

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

powerful retaliation

strong and barely controllable emotion

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

Superhuman power

Anger

Discontent
18 How does "The White House" differ from a traditional sonnet?
It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

It uses simile and metaphor.

It uses a free form rhyme scheme.

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

poison

metal

glass
21 Which of the following is true of Claude McKay?
He rejected all traditional forms and structures in his poetry.

He was not politically engaged.

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?
Every hour

Whenever they are wronged

Occassionally

Never
23 The hatred of white supremacists is described as ___.
A potent poison

Steel

A mountain

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

Once

Three times

Four times
25 As used in Line 7, the word "decent" means ___.
conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

appropriate; fitting

kind, obliging, and generous

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