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

flesh

feelings of love

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 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; 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

Yes; the spirit is trapped in the flesh and the flesh tortures and degrades the spirit
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"

No; he describes the "comforts" of the spirit as disgusting things that he cannot understand

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"
person, birth

alien, craziness

man, tides

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

his body

his poetry

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

enormously

immensely

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

his eyes

familiarity

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

stupor, airiness

question, askance

question, answer
10 Fill in the blanks: "whatever sits / counting the ______ / till you _____"
minutes, die

hours, fall

seconds, rest

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

The Liar

The Rider

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

Amiri Baraka

LeRoy Jones

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

"They / are whithered yellow flowers and were never / beautiful"
14 What year was this poem published?
1966

1963

1965

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

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

Individuality & Psychological Terror

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

hateful & changing

shy & timid

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

tinily

meekly

hugely; immensely
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

friendliness

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people
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

It's a nickname for LeRoi Jones, Baraka's name at the publication of this poem

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

metaphor

allegedly

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

bodily comforts

entrances

examples
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"?
imagery

simile

onomatopoeia

description

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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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