The Liar (poem) Quizzes

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

an image of a tree and cold birds

feelings of love

metamorphosis of self

flesh
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 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.

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
4 Does the speaker enjoy bodily pleasures? Why or why not?

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

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

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"

man, birth

alien, craziness

person, birth

man, tides
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?

his poetry

his soul

his name

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

immensely

divinely

biblically

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

his moles

familiarity

his eyes

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

stupor, airiness

question, askance

fire, ember

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

seconds, rest

minutes, live

minutes, die

hours, fall
11 What is the title of this poem?

The Rider

The Deciever

The Pretender

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

LeRoy Jones

Immamu Amiri Baraka

Amiri Baraka

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

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

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

"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"

"We want live / Words of the hip world live flesh & / Coursing blood"
14 What year was this poem published?

1961

1963

1965

1966
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

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

Individuality & Psychological Terror

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

shy & timid

vocal & critical

hateful & changing

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

hugely; immensely

shyly

meekly

tinily
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

friendliness

the state of being known or familiar

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people
19 What is "Roi" a reference to in this poem?

Roi Hibbert

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

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"?

allegedly

metaphor

assonance

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

entrances

examples

moments

bodily comforts
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"?

description

simile

imagery

onomatopoeia

The Liar (poem)

by Imamu Amiri Baraka

The Liar (poem) Quiz

The Liar (poem) Questions and Answers

Study Guide for The Liar (poem)