The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quizzes

The White House (Claude McKay poem) Quiz

1 When was "The White House" published?

1921

1915

1922

1940
2 Claude McKay was a central figure in which literary movement?

American Gothic

The Romantics

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

Sharp as Steel

Courage and Grace

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

Villanelle

Ode

Sonnet

Blank verse
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?

Hatred and oppression

Resilience

Racism

Religion
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)

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

And I am sharp as steel with discontent (Line 2)
8 How does the speaker describe the sensation of the street on their feet?

Smooth and carpet-like.

Freezing cold.

Painful and sharp.

Burning hot.
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?

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)

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)
11 Which of the following is NOT a word the speaker uses to describe themselves in the poem?

Wrathful

Chafing

Sore

Exhausted
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?

Deep in my wrathful bosom

I must keep my heart inviolate

shines your shuttered door

I possess the courage and the grace
14 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?

ABBA CDDDC EFFE GG

AABB CCCDD EEFF GG

AABA CDCDC EFFE GG

ABAB CDCD EFEF 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?

powerful retaliation

strong and barely controllable emotion

unblemished and clear

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

Superhuman power

Discontent

Anger

Racism
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?

Jamaica

Cuba

Harlem, New York

United States
20 "And I am sharp as ___ with discontent."

glass

poison

steel

metal
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?

Whenever they are wronged

Occassionally

Never

Every hour
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?

Once

Three times

Twice

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

appropriate; fitting

an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling

kind, obliging, and generous

conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior

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