The Liar (poem) Quizzes

The Liar (poem) Quiz

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

flesh

metamorphosis of self

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 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 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; every time the speaker tries to find his flesh, all he finds are entrances of spirit. Thus, flesh and spirit are inseparable.

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

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

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

alien, craziness

person, birth

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

his soul

his body

his poetry
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?
sight

his eyes

his moles

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

stupor, airiness

question, answer

fire, ember
10 Fill in the blanks: "whatever sits / counting the ______ / till you _____"
minutes, die

minutes, live

hours, fall

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

The Liar

The Pretender

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

"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"
14 What year was this poem published?
1963

1965

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

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

Individuality & Psychological Terror
16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"?
hateful & changing

shy & timid

vocal & critical

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

tinily

shyly

hugely; immensely
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

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people

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

Roy Halladay

Roi Hibbert

It's a nickname for LeRoy Neiman, Baraka's best friend in childhood
20 What kind of literary device is contained in the quotation "It is Roi / who is dead"?
allegedly

assonance

allegory

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

moments

bodily comforts

entrances
22 What is the closest meaning of "comforts" in the context of this poem?
bodily pleasures

things that cause pain

condolences

greasy foods
23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"?
simile

onomatopoeia

description

imagery

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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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