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 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 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.
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

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

Yes; he loves their "chanting weight" that "erased familiarity from his face"
5 Fill in the blanks: "Though I am a ____ / who is loud / on the ____ / of his ways"
alien, craziness

person, birth

man, tides

man, birth
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?
his poetry

his body

his soul

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

divinely

biblically

enormously
8 What was erased from the speaker's face?
his moles

familiarity

his eyes

sight
9 Fill in the blanks: "A ____ I think, / an _____"
question, answer

stupor, airiness

fire, ember

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

seconds, rest

minutes, die

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

The Deciever

The Liar

The Rider
12 What was the author's name when this poem was published?
LeRoy Jones

Amiri Baraka

LeRoi Jones

Immamu Amiri Baraka
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?"

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

"We want live / Words of the hip world live flesh & / Coursing blood"

"silver spiraled whirled against the / sun"
14 What year was this poem published?
1965

1963

1961

1966
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?
Individuality & Psychological Terror

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

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality
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?
meekly

tinily

shyly

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

the state of being known or familiar

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people

friendliness
19 What is "Roi" a reference to in this poem?
It's a nickname for LeRoi Jones, Baraka's name at the publication of this poem

It's a nickname for LeRoy Neiman, Baraka's best friend in childhood

Roi Hibbert

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

allegory

metaphor

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

examples

moments

bodily comforts
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"?
description

onomatopoeia

simile

imagery

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Study Guide for The Liar (poem)

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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