1 What has changed to fear in the beginning of "The Liar"? metamorphosis of self feelings of love an image of a tree and cold birds flesh 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; 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 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 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" alien, craziness man, birth person, birth man, tides 6 What does the speaker publicly redefine? his soul his name his poetry his body 7 How did the speaker profit from the change in his soul? enormously divinely immensely biblically 8 What was erased from the speaker's face? sight his eyes his moles familiarity 9 Fill in the blanks: "A ____ I think, / an _____" fire, ember question, answer stupor, airiness question, askance 10 Fill in the blanks: "whatever sits / counting the ______ / till you _____" minutes, live hours, fall minutes, die seconds, rest 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? LeRoi Jones LeRoy 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" "When they say, 'It is Roi / who is dead.' I wonder / who will they mean?" "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? 1961 1965 1966 1963 15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"? Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul Individuality & Psychological Terror Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity of the Body and Soul 16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"? hateful & changing alien & scared vocal & critical shy & timid 17 What does "biblically" mean in the context of this poem? hugely; immensely shyly tinily meekly 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? It's a nickname for LeRoi Jones, Baraka's name at the publication of this poem Roi Hibbert 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"? assonance allegedly metaphor allegory 21 What does "instances" mean in the context of this poem? entrances moments examples bodily comforts 22 What is the closest meaning of "comforts" in the context of this poem? greasy foods things that cause pain bodily pleasures condolences 23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"? simile imagery onomatopoeia description