The Liar (poem) Quizzes

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

metamorphosis of self

flesh

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 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

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 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 feels trapped inside his body and his bodily pleasures degrade his soul

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
5 Fill in the blanks: "Though I am a ____ / who is loud / on the ____ / of his ways"

alien, craziness

person, birth

man, birth

man, tides
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?

his soul

his name

his body

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

biblically

immensely

divinely

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

familiarity

his eyes

his moles

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

stupor, airiness

question, askance

fire, ember

question, answer
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 Deciever

The Rider

The Pretender

The Liar
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?

"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"

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

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

"We want live / Words of the hip world live flesh & / Coursing blood"
14 What year was this poem published?

1966

1963

1961

1965
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

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

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Individuality & Psychological Terror
16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"?

vocal & critical

alien & scared

hateful & changing

shy & timid
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?

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

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

Roy Halladay

Roi Hibbert
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?

examples

bodily comforts

entrances

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

condolences

things that cause pain

bodily pleasures

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

onomatopoeia

description

simile

imagery

The Liar (poem)

by Imamu Amiri Baraka

The Liar (poem) Quiz

The Liar (poem) Questions and Answers

Study Guide for The Liar (poem)