The Liar (poem) Quizzes

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

feelings of love

metamorphosis of self

an image of a tree and cold birds

flesh
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 are a physical representation of all the things the speaker once loved and now fears.

They employ dark language that is meant to be eerie, such as "shadow," "frozen," and "rattling."

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

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 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

No; he feels trapped inside his body and his bodily pleasures degrade his soul

Yes; bodily pleasures are called "pleasures" because they feel good
5 Fill in the blanks: "Though I am a ____ / who is loud / on the ____ / of his ways"

man, tides

man, birth

person, birth

alien, craziness
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?

his soul

his poetry

his name

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

enormously

biblically

immensely

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 _____"

question, answer

fire, ember

stupor, airiness

question, askance
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 Deciever

The Liar

The Rider

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

Amiri Baraka

LeRoy Jones

Immamu 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?

1966

1961

1965

1963
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?

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

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

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?

shyly

tinily

meekly

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 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

Roy Halladay
20 What kind of literary device is contained in the quotation "It is Roi / who is dead"?

allegory

allegedly

assonance

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?

condolences

bodily pleasures

greasy foods

things that cause pain
23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"?

simile

imagery

description

onomatopoeia

The Liar (poem)

by Imamu Amiri Baraka

The Liar (poem) Quiz

The Liar (poem) Questions and Answers

Study Guide for The Liar (poem)