1 What has changed to fear in the beginning of "The Liar"? metamorphosis of self an image of a tree and cold birds feelings of love 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 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 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; he doesn't technically have a body or soul because he is an alien 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" 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 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" person, birth man, birth man, tides alien, craziness 6 What does the speaker publicly redefine? his soul his name his body his poetry 7 How did the speaker profit from the change in his soul? biblically divinely enormously immensely 8 What was erased from the speaker's face? sight his eyes his moles familiarity 9 Fill in the blanks: "A ____ I think, / an _____" fire, ember stupor, airiness question, askance question, answer 10 Fill in the blanks: "whatever sits / counting the ______ / till you _____" hours, fall minutes, die minutes, live seconds, rest 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? LeRoy Jones Immamu Amiri Baraka 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" "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? 1963 1961 1965 1966 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 Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul Individuality & Psychological Terror 16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"? hateful & changing shy & timid vocal & critical alien & scared 17 What does "biblically" mean in the context of this poem? tinily meekly hugely; immensely shyly 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 inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language 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 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"? assonance allegory allegedly metaphor 21 What does "instances" mean in the context of this poem? examples moments entrances bodily comforts 22 What is the closest meaning of "comforts" in the context of this poem? condolences things that cause pain greasy foods bodily pleasures 23 What kind of literary device is "rattling"? imagery onomatopoeia description simile