The Liar (poem) Quizzes

The Liar (poem) Quiz

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 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.

They are a physical representation of all the things the speaker once loved and now fears.

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

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?
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"

Yes; bodily pleasures are called "pleasures" because they feel good

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

man, birth

man, tides

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

his poetry

his body

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

enormously

divinely

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

familiarity

sight

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

question, answer

question, askance

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

seconds, rest

minutes, live

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

The Rider

The Liar

The Pretender
12 What was the author's name when this poem was published?
LeRoi Jones

LeRoy 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"

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

"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"

"When they say, 'It is Roi / who is dead.' I wonder / who will they mean?"
14 What year was this poem published?
1963

1961

1966

1965
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?
Individuality & Psychological Terror

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

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality
16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"?
vocal & critical

alien & scared

shy & timid

hateful & changing
17 What does "biblically" mean in the context of this poem?
meekly

hugely; immensely

tinily

shyly
18 What is the closest definition of the word "familiarity" in the context of this poem?
friendliness

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people

inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language

the state of being known or familiar
19 What is "Roi" a reference to in this poem?
It's a nickname for LeRoy Neiman, Baraka's best friend in childhood

Roi Hibbert

Roy Halladay

It's a nickname for LeRoi Jones, Baraka's name at the publication of this poem
20 What kind of literary device is contained in the quotation "It is Roi / who is dead"?
allegory

assonance

metaphor

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

entrances

bodily comforts

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"?
simile

description

imagery

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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