The Liar (poem) Quizzes

1 What has changed to fear in the beginning of "The Liar"?

flesh

metamorphosis of self

an image of a tree and cold birds

feelings of love
2 Why are the images offered in Stanza I scary? (For extra help, consult "Summary and Analysis" section of the guide.)

They are a physical representation of all the things the speaker once loved and now fears.

They constitute scenes that cannot be found in nature but that are easily visualized in the imagination. Thus, they constitute an alienation from nature.

They employ dark language that is meant to be eerie, such as "shadow," "frozen," and "rattling."

All of the above
3 Is the speaker's body completely separated from his soul? Why or why not?

Yes; the body and the soul are understood as separate entities and opposing forces in Baraka's literary canon

No; every time the speaker tries to find his flesh, all he finds are entrances of spirit. Thus, flesh and spirit are inseparable.

Yes; the spirit is trapped in the flesh and the flesh tortures and degrades the spirit

No; he doesn't technically have a body or soul because he is an alien
4 Does the speaker enjoy bodily pleasures? Why or why not?

No; he describes the "comforts" of the spirit as disgusting things that he cannot understand

Yes; bodily pleasures are called "pleasures" because they feel good

No; he feels trapped inside his body and his bodily pleasures degrade his soul

Yes; he loves their "chanting weight" that "erased familiarity from his face"
5 Fill in the blanks: "Though I am a ____ / who is loud / on the ____ / of his ways"

alien, craziness

man, tides

man, birth

person, birth
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?

his body

his name

his soul

his poetry
7 How did the speaker profit from the change in his soul?

enormously

immensely

biblically

divinely
8 What was erased from the speaker's face?

sight

his eyes

familiarity

his moles
9 Fill in the blanks: "A ____ I think, / an _____"

fire, ember

question, askance

stupor, airiness

question, answer
10 Fill in the blanks: "whatever sits / counting the ______ / till you _____"

hours, fall

minutes, die

minutes, live

seconds, rest
11 What is the title of this poem?

The Liar

The Pretender

The Deciever

The Rider
12 What was the author's name when this poem was published?

Amiri Baraka

Immamu Amiri Baraka

LeRoi Jones

LeRoy Jones
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration from the poem?

"We want live / Words of the hip world live flesh & / Coursing blood"

"When they say, 'It is Roi / who is dead.' I wonder / who will they mean?"

"They / are whithered yellow flowers and were never / beautiful"

"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"
14 What year was this poem published?

1965

1963

1961

1966
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

Individuality & Psychological Terror

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity of the Body and Soul
16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"?

alien & scared

shy & timid

hateful & changing

vocal & critical
17 What does "biblically" mean in the context of this poem?

shyly

tinily

hugely; immensely

meekly
18 What is the closest definition of the word "familiarity" in the context of this poem?

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people

friendliness

the state of being known or familiar

inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language
19 What is "Roi" a reference to in this poem?

Roy Halladay

It's a nickname for LeRoi Jones, Baraka's name at the publication of this poem

It's a nickname for LeRoy Neiman, Baraka's best friend in childhood

Roi Hibbert
20 What kind of literary device is contained in the quotation "It is Roi / who is dead"?

assonance

allegedly

metaphor

allegory
21 What does "instances" mean in the context of this poem?

examples

moments

bodily comforts

entrances
22 What is the closest meaning of "comforts" in the context of this poem?

condolences

bodily pleasures

things that cause pain

greasy foods
23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"?

imagery

description

simile

onomatopoeia

The Liar (poem)

by Imamu Amiri Baraka

The Liar (poem) Quiz

The Liar (poem) Questions and Answers

Study Guide for The Liar (poem)