The Liar (poem) Quizzes

The Liar (poem) Quiz

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

an image of a tree and cold birds

flesh

feelings of love
2 Why are the images offered in Stanza I scary? (For extra help, consult "Summary and Analysis" section of the guide.)
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.

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 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.

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

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
5 Fill in the blanks: "Though I am a ____ / who is loud / on the ____ / of his ways"
person, birth

alien, craziness

man, birth

man, tides
6 What does the speaker publicly redefine?
his name

his soul

his poetry

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

enormously

divinely

biblically
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

stupor, airiness

question, askance

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

seconds, rest

minutes, live

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

The Liar

The Deciever

The Rider
12 What was the author's name when this poem was published?
Immamu Amiri Baraka

LeRoi Jones

Amiri Baraka

LeRoy 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?"

"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"
14 What year was this poem published?
1965

1966

1963

1961
15 What are the two main themes of "The Liar"?
Metamorphosis of Self & Separation/Unity of the Body and Soul

Psychological Terror & Separation of the Body and Soul

Popular Culture/Oral Tradition & Individuality

Individuality & Psychological Terror
16 What two qualities would characterize the speaker of "The Liar"?
hateful & changing

shy & timid

alien & scared

vocal & critical
17 What does "biblically" mean in the context of this poem?
shyly

hugely; immensely

tinily

meekly
18 What is the closest definition of the word "familiarity" in the context of this poem?
friendliness

relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people

inappropriate and often offensive informality of behavior or language

the state of being known or familiar
19 What is "Roi" a reference to in this poem?
Roi Hibbert

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

assonance

allegedly

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?
greasy foods

bodily pleasures

condolences

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

description

onomatopoeia

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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