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 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

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

Yes; he loves their "chanting weight" that "erased familiarity from his face"

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

No; he feels trapped inside his body and his bodily pleasures degrade his soul
5 Fill in the blanks: "Though I am a ____ / who is loud / on the ____ / of his ways"
man, tides

person, birth

alien, craziness

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

his poetry

his soul

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

divinely

enormously

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

his moles

his eyes

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

fire, ember

question, askance

stupor, airiness
10 Fill in the blanks: "whatever sits / counting the ______ / till you _____"
hours, fall

minutes, live

minutes, die

seconds, rest
11 What is the title of this poem?
The Rider

The Liar

The Deciever

The Pretender
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?
"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"

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

"We want live / Words of the hip world live flesh & / Coursing blood"

"They / are whithered yellow flowers and were never / beautiful"
14 What year was this poem published?
1965

1963

1961

1966
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"?
hateful & changing

alien & scared

shy & timid

vocal & critical
17 What does "biblically" mean in the context of this poem?
hugely; immensely

meekly

tinily

shyly
18 What is the closest definition of the word "familiarity" in the context of this poem?
relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people

inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language

the state of being known or familiar

friendliness
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"?
metaphor

assonance

allegory

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

examples

bodily comforts

moments
22 What is the closest meaning of "comforts" in the context of this poem?
things that cause pain

greasy foods

condolences

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

description

onomatopoeia

simile

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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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