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?
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.

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?
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"

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"
person, birth

man, birth

alien, craziness

man, tides
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?
his poetry

his soul

his body

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

enormously

immensely

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

his moles

sight

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

question, askance

stupor, airiness

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

minutes, die

hours, fall

minutes, live
11 What is the title of this poem?
The Liar

The Pretender

The Rider

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

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

"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"

"They / are whithered yellow flowers and were never / beautiful"
14 What year was this poem published?
1963

1965

1966

1961
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?
Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

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

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

vocal & critical

shy & timid

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

tinily

shyly

meekly
18 What is the closest definition of the word "familiarity" in the context of this poem?
inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language

the state of being known or familiar

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people

friendliness
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

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

Roy Halladay
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?
entrances

bodily comforts

moments

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

greasy foods

things that cause pain

condolences
23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"?
description

onomatopoeia

simile

imagery

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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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