The Liar (poem) Quizzes

The Liar (poem) Quiz

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

metamorphosis of self

feelings of love

an image of a tree and cold birds
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 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."

All of the above
3 Is the speaker's body completely separated from his soul? Why or why not?
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 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
4 Does the speaker enjoy bodily pleasures? Why or why not?
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

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, tides

man, birth

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

his body

his name

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

immensely

biblically

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

his moles

his eyes

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

fire, ember

question, askance

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

minutes, live

hours, fall

minutes, die
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?
Amiri Baraka

LeRoi Jones

Immamu Amiri Baraka

LeRoy Jones
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?"

"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"
14 What year was this poem published?
1965

1961

1966

1963
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?
Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Individuality & Psychological Terror

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity 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?
hugely; immensely

meekly

shyly

tinily
18 What is the closest definition of the word "familiarity" in the context of this poem?
the state of being known or familiar

friendliness

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?
Roi Hibbert

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

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

metaphor

allegory

assonance
21 What does "instances" mean in the context of this poem?
bodily comforts

moments

entrances

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

greasy foods

things that cause pain

bodily pleasures
23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"?
onomatopoeia

description

simile

imagery

The Liar (poem) Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Liar (poem) is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Ask Your Own Question

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.

Read the Study Guide for The Liar (poem)…