The Liar (poem) Quizzes

The Liar (poem) Quiz

1 What has changed to fear in the beginning of "The Liar"?
an image of a tree and cold birds

metamorphosis of self

flesh

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 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.

All of the above
3 Is the speaker's body completely separated from his soul? Why or why not?
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.

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

Yes; he loves their "chanting weight" that "erased familiarity from his face"

No; he feels trapped inside his body and his bodily pleasures degrade his soul

Yes; bodily pleasures are called "pleasures" because they feel good
5 Fill in the blanks: "Though I am a ____ / who is loud / on the ____ / of his ways"
alien, craziness

man, birth

person, birth

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

his soul

his body

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

biblically

enormously

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

his eyes

familiarity

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

question, answer

question, askance

fire, ember
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 Pretender

The Rider

The Deciever

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

Amiri Baraka

LeRoy Jones

Immamu 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"

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

"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"
14 What year was this poem published?
1963

1961

1965

1966
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?
Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Individuality & Psychological Terror

Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity of the Body and Soul
16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"?
hateful & changing

shy & timid

vocal & critical

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

tinily

meekly

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

the state of being known or familiar

inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language

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

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"?
allegory

allegedly

assonance

metaphor
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?
greasy foods

bodily pleasures

things that cause pain

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

onomatopoeia

description

simile

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Study Guide for The Liar (poem)

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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