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?
The Romantics

American Gothic

The Harlem Renaissance

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

White Houses

Courage and Grace

Sharp as Steel
4 Which poetic form does the "The White House" use?
Blank verse

Villanelle

Ode

Sonnet
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)

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

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?
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)

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

Confused and anxious.

Exhausted and resigned.

Optimistic and joyful.
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

Sore

Chafing

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

Iambic pentameter

No set meter

Dactylic hexameter
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
shines your shuttered door

Deep in my wrathful bosom

I must keep my heart inviolate

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

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
15 What perspective is the poem narrated from?
First person

First person plural

Third person limited

Third person omniscient
16 As used in Line 13, what does the word "inviolate" mean?
strong and barely controllable emotion

unblemished and clear

free or safe from injury or violation

powerful retaliation
17 What does the speaker need in order to hold to the letter of law?
Anger

Superhuman power

Racism

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

It uses simile and metaphor.

It expresses political resistance instead of romantic love or celebration.

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

Jamaica

Harlem, New York

Cuba
20 "And I am sharp as ___ with discontent."
glass

poison

metal

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

He first moved to Harlem in 1946.

He was not politically engaged.

The FBI prepared a file about his activities.
22 How often must the speaker search for wisdom?
Whenever they are wronged

Occassionally

Every hour

Never
23 The hatred of white supremacists is described as ___.
A wrathful bosom

A mountain

Steel

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

Twice

Once

Four times
25 As used in Line 7, the word "decent" means ___.
an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

kind, obliging, and generous

appropriate; fitting

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

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