The Liar (poem) Quizzes

The Liar (poem) Quiz

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

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.
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"
man, birth

alien, craziness

man, tides

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

his name

his soul

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

divinely

biblically

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

sight

his eyes

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

fire, ember

question, askance

stupor, airiness
10 Fill in the blanks: "whatever sits / counting the ______ / till you _____"
seconds, rest

minutes, live

hours, fall

minutes, die
11 What is the title of this poem?
The Rider

The Liar

The Deciever

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

Immamu Amiri Baraka

LeRoy Jones

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

"We want live / Words of the hip world live flesh & / Coursing blood"
14 What year was this poem published?
1963

1966

1965

1961
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?
Individuality & Psychological Terror

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

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

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

hateful & changing

vocal & critical

shy & timid
17 What does "biblically" mean in the context of this poem?
meekly

tinily

shyly

hugely; immensely
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 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

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

allegedly

allegory

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

bodily comforts

moments

examples
22 What is the closest meaning of "comforts" in the context of this poem?
things that cause pain

greasy foods

condolences

bodily pleasures
23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"?
description

imagery

onomatopoeia

simile

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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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