The Liar (poem) Quizzes

The Liar (poem) Quiz

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

flesh

an image of a tree and cold birds

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 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."

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

All of the above
3 Is the speaker's body completely separated from his soul? Why or why not?
No; every time the speaker tries to find his flesh, all he finds are entrances of spirit. Thus, flesh and spirit are inseparable.

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
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"
man, birth

man, tides

alien, craziness

person, birth
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?
his poetry

his soul

his name

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

divinely

immensely

biblically
8 What was erased from the speaker's face?
his moles

his eyes

familiarity

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

question, answer

stupor, airiness

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

minutes, die

hours, fall

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

The Pretender

The Liar

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

LeRoi Jones

Immamu Amiri Baraka

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

"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"

"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?"
14 What year was this poem published?
1966

1963

1965

1961
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?
Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity of the Body and Soul

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Individuality & Psychological Terror

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

vocal & critical

shy & timid

hateful & changing
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?
friendliness

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people

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

Roi Hibbert

Roy Halladay

It's a nickname for LeRoy Neiman, Baraka's best friend in childhood
20 What kind of literary device is contained in the quotation "It is Roi / who is dead"?
allegory

metaphor

assonance

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

bodily comforts

entrances

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

bodily pleasures

greasy foods

things that cause pain
23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"?
onomatopoeia

description

simile

imagery

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Study Guide for The Liar (poem)

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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