The Liar (poem) Quizzes

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

flesh

an image of a tree and cold birds

metamorphosis of self

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 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 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; 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 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"

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

alien, craziness

man, tides

person, birth
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?

his poetry

his soul

his name

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

enormously

biblically

divinely

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

familiarity

sight

his moles

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

stupor, airiness

fire, ember

question, answer

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

hours, fall

seconds, rest

minutes, live

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

The Rider

The Pretender

The Liar

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

Amiri Baraka

LeRoi Jones

LeRoy 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"

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

"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"

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

1966

1963

1961

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

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Individuality & Psychological Terror

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

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

shy & timid

alien & scared

hateful & changing

vocal & critical
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?

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people

inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language

friendliness

the state of being known or familiar
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

Roy Halladay

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"?

metaphor

allegory

assonance

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

moments

bodily comforts

entrances

examples
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

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)