The Liar (poem) Quizzes

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

metamorphosis of self

flesh

feelings of love

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; he doesn't technically have a body or soul because he is an alien

Yes; the spirit is trapped in the flesh and the flesh tortures and degrades the spirit

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?

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

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
5 Fill in the blanks: "Though I am a ____ / who is loud / on the ____ / of his ways"

man, tides

person, birth

man, birth

alien, craziness
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?

his body

his poetry

his name

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

immensely

biblically

divinely

enormously
8 What was erased from the speaker's face?

his moles

sight

his eyes

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

question, askance

stupor, airiness

fire, ember

question, answer
10 Fill in the blanks: "whatever sits / counting the ______ / till you _____"

minutes, die

minutes, live

seconds, rest

hours, fall
11 What is the title of this poem?

The Deciever

The Rider

The Pretender

The Liar
12 What was the author's name when this poem was published?

Amiri Baraka

LeRoy Jones

LeRoi Jones

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?

1963

1961

1966

1965
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?

Individuality & Psychological Terror

Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity of the Body and Soul

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul
16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"?

hateful & changing

vocal & critical

shy & timid

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

tinily

shyly

meekly

hugely; immensely
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?

Roi Hibbert

It's a nickname for LeRoi Jones, Baraka's name at the publication of this poem

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"?

allegedly

metaphor

allegory

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

bodily comforts

examples

moments

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

bodily pleasures

greasy foods

things that cause pain

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

simile

imagery

onomatopoeia

description

The Liar (poem)

by Imamu Amiri Baraka

The Liar (poem) Quiz

The Liar (poem) Questions and Answers

Study Guide for The Liar (poem)