The Liar (poem) Quizzes

The Liar (poem) Quiz

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

an image of a tree and cold birds

flesh

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 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."

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.

No; he doesn't technically have a body or soul because he is an alien

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
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 feels trapped inside his body and his bodily pleasures degrade his soul

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

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

alien, craziness

man, birth
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?
enormously

immensely

biblically

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

his eyes

sight

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

question, answer

question, askance

stupor, airiness
10 Fill in the blanks: "whatever sits / counting the ______ / till you _____"
minutes, die

seconds, rest

hours, fall

minutes, live
11 What is the title of this poem?
The Liar

The Deciever

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?
"When they say, 'It is Roi / who is dead.' I wonder / who will they mean?"

"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"
14 What year was this poem published?
1966

1963

1961

1965
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?
Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity of the Body and Soul

Individuality & Psychological Terror

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul
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

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

the state of being known or familiar

friendliness

inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language
19 What is "Roi" a reference to in this poem?
It's a nickname for LeRoy Neiman, Baraka's best friend in childhood

Roy Halladay

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

assonance

metaphor

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

bodily comforts

entrances

moments
22 What is the closest meaning of "comforts" in the context of this poem?
greasy foods

bodily pleasures

things that cause pain

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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