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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 8 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which line most clearly echoes the tension between "little girls" (line 5) and "prowling" (line 6)?

2. What is being referred to with the expression "silver break" (line 7)?

3. What does the word "shod" in line 12 refer to?

4. Which techniques are evident in line 4, "To bend and barter at desire's call"?

5. What does the expression "feet of clay" in line 15 refer to?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the poem's first image, and how does it set a tone for the rest of the poem?

2. How does the second stanza set up a contrast between dark and light?

3. How does the use of the word "prowling" contrast with the poem's previous descriptions of the women?

4. Where is Harlem and why is it significant to the meaning of this poem?

5. How does McKay convey the idea that these women are sex workers?

6. What indications does the speaker give that he feels the sex workers' choices indicate something about all Black people in America?

7. What does the poem conclude is the cause of the women's choice to pursue sex work?

8. Describe the form of this poem.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is the speaker of "Harlem Shadows" Claude McKay himself? Use evidence from both the poem and research on McKay's ideas to construct a convincing argument about whether or not McKay can reasonably be said to be the speaker of the poem. You do not have to prove that, without a doubt, McKay is or is not the speaker. You are only trying to demonstrate what the balance of the evidence implies. Support your arguments with both quoted and paraphrased evidence from the poem, and be sure to cite all evidence--including outside sources--in MLA format.

Essay Topic 2

Choose another of McKay's poems and write an essay that compares and contrasts it with "Harlem Shadows," using biographical information about McKay to illuminate the similarities and differences between the two poems. (For the second poem, do not choose a McKay poem already discussed in class.) Your goal is not to analyze these poems but to demonstrate how the two poems reflect Claude McKay's era, his typical subject matter, and his style. Support your arguments with both quoted and paraphrased evidence from both poems, and be sure to cite all evidence--including outside sources--in MLA format.

Essay Topic 3

Read Claude McKay's poem "On Broadway" (widely available online). In this poem, you will also see a speaker immersed in a New York environment, observing a nighttime scene. You will see the personification of desire as well as references to feet, the heart, and ceaseless motion. All of these elements are very like "Harlem Shadows"--but the intent of "On Broadway" is very different. Write an essay comparing and contrasting these two poems. Show how it is possible for two poems by the same author to have so many elements in common and yet convey very different ideas about life. Be sure to support your assertions with evidence from both poems and to cite your sources in MLA format.

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