1 What has changed to fear in the beginning of "The Liar"? an image of a tree and cold birds flesh feelings of love metamorphosis of self 2 Why are the images offered in Stanza I scary? (For extra help, consult "Summary and Analysis" section of the guide.) 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." They constitute scenes that cannot be found in nature but that are easily visualized in the imagination. Thus, they constitute an alienation from nature. 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 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. 4 Does the speaker enjoy bodily pleasures? Why or why not? Yes; he loves their "chanting weight" that "erased familiarity from his face" Yes; bodily pleasures are called "pleasures" because they feel good 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 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 body his name his soul 7 How did the speaker profit from the change in his soul? divinely enormously immensely biblically 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 _____" seconds, rest hours, fall minutes, die minutes, live 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 Immamu Amiri Baraka LeRoy Jones LeRoi Jones 13 Which of the following is an example of alliteration from the poem? "silver spiraled whirled against the / sun" "They / are whithered yellow flowers and were never / beautiful" "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?" 14 What year was this poem published? 1961 1963 1965 1966 15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"? Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity of the Body and Soul Individuality & Psychological Terror Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality 16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"? alien & scared shy & timid vocal & critical hateful & changing 17 What does "biblically" mean in the context of this poem? tinily shyly hugely; immensely meekly 18 What is the closest definition of the word "familiarity" in the context of this poem? the state of being known or familiar inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language friendliness relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people 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 It's a nickname for LeRoi Jones, Baraka's name at the publication of this poem Roi Hibbert 20 What kind of literary device is contained in the quotation "It is Roi / who is dead"? allegory metaphor allegedly assonance 21 What does "instances" mean in the context of this poem? bodily comforts examples entrances moments 22 What is the closest meaning of "comforts" in the context of this poem? things that cause pain condolences greasy foods bodily pleasures 23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"? onomatopoeia description simile imagery