The Liar (poem) Quizzes

The Liar (poem) Quiz

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

an image of a tree and cold birds

flesh

metamorphosis of self
2 Why are the images offered in Stanza I scary? (For extra help, consult "Summary and Analysis" section of the guide.)
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 are a physical representation of all the things the speaker once loved and now fears.

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?
No; he doesn't technically have a body or soul because he is an alien

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

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.
4 Does the speaker enjoy bodily pleasures? Why or why not?
Yes; bodily pleasures are called "pleasures" because they feel good

Yes; he loves their "chanting weight" that "erased familiarity from his face"

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

No; he feels trapped inside his body and his bodily pleasures degrade his soul
5 Fill in the blanks: "Though I am a ____ / who is loud / on the ____ / of his ways"
person, birth

man, tides

alien, craziness

man, birth
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?
his body

his soul

his poetry

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

immensely

biblically

enormously
8 What was erased from the speaker's face?
his eyes

sight

familiarity

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

stupor, airiness

question, answer

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

minutes, die

seconds, rest

hours, fall
11 What is the title of this poem?
The Liar

The Deciever

The Rider

The Pretender
12 What was the author's name when this poem was published?
Immamu Amiri Baraka

LeRoy Jones

LeRoi Jones

Amiri Baraka
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration from the poem?
"They / are whithered yellow flowers and were never / beautiful"

"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?"

"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"
14 What year was this poem published?
1966

1961

1965

1963
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?
Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity of the Body and Soul

Individuality & Psychological Terror

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul
16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"?
hateful & changing

shy & timid

alien & scared

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

meekly

shyly

tinily
18 What is the closest definition of the word "familiarity" in the context of this poem?
relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people

the state of being known or familiar

friendliness

inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language
19 What is "Roi" a reference to in this poem?
It's a nickname for LeRoy Neiman, Baraka's best friend in childhood

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

Roy Halladay

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

allegedly

metaphor

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

examples

bodily comforts

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

condolences

things that cause pain

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

simile

description

onomatopoeia

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The Liar (poem) study guide contains a biography of Imamu Amiri Baraka, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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