The Liar (poem) Quizzes

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

an image of a tree and cold birds

metamorphosis of self

feelings of love

flesh
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 employ dark language that is meant to be eerie, such as "shadow," "frozen," and "rattling."

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

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

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 describes the "comforts" of the spirit as disgusting things that he cannot understand

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"
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 name

his poetry

his body

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

divinely

biblically

immensely

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

his moles

sight

familiarity

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

fire, ember

question, askance

question, answer

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

hours, fall

seconds, rest

minutes, die

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

The Pretender

The Deciever

The Rider

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"

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

"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

1961

1965

1963
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

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

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

vocal & critical

shy & timid

hateful & changing

alien & scared
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?

the state of being known or familiar

inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language

friendliness

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people
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

Roy Halladay

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

Roi Hibbert
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?

examples

bodily comforts

moments

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

condolences

greasy foods

bodily pleasures

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

onomatopoeia

simile

imagery

description

The Liar (poem)

by Imamu Amiri Baraka

The Liar (poem) Quiz

The Liar (poem) Questions and Answers

Study Guide for The Liar (poem)