1 What has changed to fear in the beginning of "The Liar"? metamorphosis of self flesh an image of a tree and cold birds 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; 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 describes the "comforts" of the spirit as disgusting things that he cannot understand No; he feels trapped inside his body and his bodily pleasures degrade his soul Yes; bodily pleasures are called "pleasures" because they feel good Yes; he loves their "chanting weight" that "erased familiarity from his face" 5 Fill in the blanks: "Though I am a ____ / who is loud / on the ____ / of his ways" man, tides man, birth person, birth alien, craziness 6 What does the speaker publicly redefine? his name his poetry his soul his body 7 How did the speaker profit from the change in his soul? divinely immensely enormously biblically 8 What was erased from the speaker's face? his eyes his moles familiarity 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 Liar The Pretender The Deciever The Rider 12 What was the author's name when this poem was published? LeRoy Jones LeRoi Jones Amiri Baraka Immamu Amiri Baraka 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" "When they say, 'It is Roi / who is dead.' I wonder / who will they mean?" "They / are whithered yellow flowers and were never / beautiful" "silver spiraled whirled against the / sun" 14 What year was this poem published? 1966 1963 1961 1965 15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"? Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity of the Body and Soul Individuality & Psychological Terror Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul 16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"? alien & scared shy & timid hateful & changing vocal & critical 17 What does "biblically" mean in the context of this poem? meekly hugely; immensely 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? It's a nickname for LeRoy Neiman, Baraka's best friend in childhood Roi Hibbert 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"? allegory assonance metaphor allegedly 21 What does "instances" mean in the context of this poem? moments examples bodily comforts entrances 22 What is the closest meaning of "comforts" in the context of this poem? condolences bodily pleasures things that cause pain greasy foods 23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"? simile imagery onomatopoeia description