The Liar (poem) Quizzes

The Liar (poem) Quiz

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

metamorphosis of self

flesh

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 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?
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

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; 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

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, birth

man, tides

person, birth

alien, craziness
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?
his poetry

his name

his body

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

enormously

biblically

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

sight

his eyes

his moles
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 _____"
minutes, live

seconds, rest

hours, fall

minutes, die
11 What is the title of this poem?
The Pretender

The Liar

The Deciever

The Rider
12 What was the author's name when this poem was published?
LeRoi Jones

Immamu Amiri Baraka

LeRoy Jones

Amiri Baraka
13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration from the poem?
"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"

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

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

"When they say, 'It is Roi / who is dead.' I wonder / who will they mean?"
14 What year was this poem published?
1966

1961

1963

1965
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

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

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

hateful & changing

vocal & critical

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

meekly

tinily

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

friendliness

inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language

the state of being known or familiar
19 What is "Roi" a reference to in this poem?
Roy Halladay

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

Roi Hibbert

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

allegory

assonance
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?
things that cause pain

greasy foods

bodily pleasures

condolences
23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"?
description

onomatopoeia

imagery

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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