Summary of “The Interview”
The chapter “The Interview” explains how interviews have become a very common way to learn about people, especially famous personalities. Interviews help the public understand their lives and opinions, but not everyone likes being interviewed. Some people see interviews as an invasion of their privacy and feel uncomfortable, like writers who worry that interviews can harm their personal space.
Famous writers like Lewis Carroll and Rudyard Kipling hated interviews, thinking they were annoying or even immoral. On the other hand, some people believe interviews are a powerful tool for communication and sharing important information with the world.
In the second part of the chapter, Umberto Eco, an Italian professor and novelist, talks about his views on interviews. Eco explains how he finds time to write so much by using small moments of free time in his daily life. He also discusses how his academic writing is different because he shares the story of his research instead of just giving boring facts. Although most people know him as a novelist, Eco considers himself a scholar first. He also talks about the unexpected success of his novel The Name of the Rose, saying that even though it is a serious book, many readers liked it. However, he is not sure why it became so popular.
In conclusion, the chapter highlights both the positives and negatives of interviews, showing how they are useful but also disliked by some.
The Theme of The Interview – Flamingo – Class XII – NCERT
The theme “The Interview as a Communication Genre” in this chapter explores how the interview has evolved into a powerful and unique way of communicating with and understanding others. Here, the interview is presented as more than just a question-and-answer session; it’s a distinct genre that captures real, personal insights from people, especially public figures, in ways that are conversational and direct.
Key Aspects of the Theme
- Interviews as a Source of Information
Interviews are one of the main ways the public learns about notable figures in fields like literature, politics, entertainment, and science. Unlike other forms of writing, an interview captures a person’s exact words, allowing for an authentic exchange where the interviewee’s personality and opinions can shine. For the reader or audience, this often provides a vivid sense of the person behind the fame. - Power of the Interviewer
The chapter touches on the power held by interviewers. Since they guide the conversation, they can control how a personality is represented to the public. Good interviewers are skilled at drawing out thoughts and stories that wouldn’t otherwise be shared, while poor or intrusive interviewing can distort public perception and sometimes make the interviewee uncomfortable. This balance of power makes the interviewer’s role a significant one. - Differing Views on Interviews
The chapter also highlights the mixed feelings people have about interviews. Some see them as an art form that brings valuable insights, while others, especially certain writers and artists, view interviews as invasive. The responses of authors like Lewis Carroll and Rudyard Kipling reflect how interviews can feel like a loss of privacy, sometimes making celebrities feel like they are exposed to the public eye in unwanted ways. - Interviews as a Modern Art Form
Just as much as they are a form of communication, interviews are also considered by some to be a form of art. Interviewing requires skill in guiding questions, adapting to responses, and sometimes gently pushing boundaries to uncover new information or perspectives. In this way, interviews blend storytelling, psychology, and journalism, creating a distinct genre with its own techniques and methods. - Public Fascination with Personalities
People’s interest in interviews reflects a general fascination with the lives of others, especially those who have achieved fame. The interview as a genre capitalizes on this curiosity, creating a connection between the audience and the interviewee that is both informative and often entertaining. - Role of Interviews in Understanding Contemporary Society
Interviews are instrumental in capturing the thoughts, experiences, and opinions of influential people, allowing society to document its thinkers and creators for posterity. Through interviews, audiences are able to see the motivations, challenges, and viewpoints of influential people, shaping cultural understanding and collective memory.
In summary, “The Interview as a Communication Genre” underscores how interviews have become a crucial, multi-faceted form of communication that bridges personal storytelling, public curiosity, and cultural documentation. The chapter illustrates both the value and the challenges of interviews, making them an essential aspect of journalism and communication today.
Think as you read – I (Q&A of The Interview)
- What are some of the positive views on interviews?
Some people think interviews are a way to get to know the truth and can be seen as an art in journalism. They believe that interviews help us learn more about other people. - Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?
Many celebrity writers feel that interviews invade their privacy and make them feel exposed. Some even believe that interviews can harm them, like losing a part of themselves. - What is the belief in some primitive cultures about being photographed?
In some primitive cultures, people believe that when someone takes their photo, it steals a part of their soul. - What do you understand by the expression “thumbprints on his windpipe”?
The phrase “thumbprints on his windpipe” refers to the feeling of being choked or pressured during an interview, making it hard to speak freely. - Who, in today’s world, is our chief source of information about personalities?
In today’s world, interviews are one of the main ways we learn about famous people and their lives.
Understanding the text (Q&A of The Interview)
- Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give reasons for your opinion.
Umberto Eco does not seem to enjoy interviews very much. He thinks that people mostly know him as a novelist when he sees himself as a professor. While he participates in interviews, he feels more comfortable in academic discussions. - How does Eco find the time to write so much?
Eco explains that he makes use of “empty spaces” in his life, such as waiting for an elevator, to work. He believes that everyone has free moments throughout the day, and he uses them to write. - What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style?
Eco’s academic writing was different because he told the story of his research, including his mistakes and corrections. This made his writing more engaging and less dry compared to typical scholarly writing. - Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?
Eco considered himself a professor first and a novelist second. He said he wrote novels on Sundays and identified more with the academic community. - What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, The Name of the Rose?
The success of The Name of the Rose was a surprise to many, including Eco. He thinks it became popular because some readers enjoy difficult and serious books, not just easy or entertaining ones. The timing of its release also played a role, but the exact reason for its success is still a mystery.
Talking about the text
- Talk about any interview that you have watched on television or read in a newspaper. How did it add to your understanding of the celebrity, the interviewer, and the field of the celebrity?
(Discussion-based response.) Sample:
I recently watched an interview with a famous cricketer on television. The interview helped me understand not only the cricketer’s dedication to the game but also his personal struggles and how he overcame them. The interviewer asked thoughtful questions, which made the conversation feel genuine. It also highlighted the hard work and mental strength required in the field of professional sports, giving me a deeper appreciation of what athletes go through behind the scenes. - The medium you like best for an interview: print, radio, or television.
(Discussion-based response.) Sample:
I prefer television interviews because they allow me to see the facial expressions and body language of both the interviewer and the interviewee. This adds a visual layer to the conversation and helps me better understand the emotions and reactions of the person being interviewed. Television interviews feel more engaging and lively compared to reading them in print or listening to them on the radio. - Every famous person has a right to his or her privacy. Interviewers sometimes embarrass celebrities with very personal questions.
(Discussion-based response.) Sample:
I believe that celebrities, like everyone else, deserve privacy. While interviews help us learn more about them, interviewers should respect certain boundaries. Asking overly personal or intrusive questions can make celebrities uncomfortable and invade their private lives. It’s important to focus on their professional work and only ask about personal matters if the celebrity is open to discussing them. Everyone should be treated with respect, no matter how famous they are.
Ten important questions from the chapter The Interview for Exam Prep with answers:
- How has the interview become an important part of modern journalism?
The interview has become an important part of journalism because it helps provide a direct insight into a person’s thoughts and opinions. It is now one of the main ways people learn about famous personalities and their lives. - What reasons did Rudyard Kipling give for refusing to be interviewed?
Rudyard Kipling believed that interviews were immoral and compared them to crimes, saying they were as bad as an assault on a person. He thought it was wrong to invade someone’s privacy by asking for personal details. - Why does V.S. Naipaul believe interviews can be harmful to people?
V.S. Naipaul feels that some people are hurt by interviews, as they lose a part of themselves by exposing personal details to the public. He believes that interviews can take away something valuable from individuals. - What is Umberto Eco’s opinion about being recognized as a novelist rather than an academic scholar?
Umberto Eco is not completely happy being known more as a novelist because he sees himself primarily as an academic scholar. Although he enjoys writing novels, he feels more connected to the academic community. - How does Umberto Eco balance his academic work and novel writing?
Eco balances his work by using small free moments in his daily life, which he calls “interstices.” He writes during these gaps, such as when waiting for an elevator, allowing him to accomplish a lot of work. - What does Eco mean when he says he is always doing the same thing?
Eco means that whether he is writing academic essays, children’s books, or novels, he is pursuing the same philosophical and ethical interests. All his work revolves around similar themes, even if the form of writing differs. - What was the attitude of H.G. Wells towards interviews?
H.G. Wells referred to interviews as an “ordeal” because of the discomfort they caused. However, he still gave interviews frequently, and at one point even interviewed Joseph Stalin, showing that despite his unease, he participated in interviews. - Why did Umberto Eco’s publisher expect The Name of the Rose to sell only 3,000 copies in the U.S.?
Eco’s publisher thought that The Name of the Rose would not be successful in the U.S. because most Americans had no connection to medieval history or Latin, which were major themes in the book. - What lesson did Eco learn from his professor about writing scholarly books?
Eco’s professor taught him that scholarly books should not just list facts and conclusions, but instead tell the story of the research, including errors and corrections. This approach made his writing more engaging and lively. - How does the success of The Name of the Rose reflect readers’ interests according to Eco?
Eco believes that the success of The Name of the Rose shows that not all readers want simple or easy books. Some readers enjoy challenging and thought-provoking books, which is why his serious novel attracted a large audience.
Writing
Report on Umberto Eco’s Interview:
If the interviewer Mukund Padmanabhan had not got the space in the newspaper to reproduce the interview verbatim, he may have been asked to produce a short report of the interview with the salient points. Write this report for him.
ANSWER:
Umberto Eco, an Italian scholar and author, was interviewed by Mukund Padmanabhan. During the conversation, Eco discussed how he manages to write extensively by using small free moments in his day. Despite being recognized for his novels, Eco considers himself primarily an academic. His writing style stands out because he combines storytelling with research, making even his scholarly work engaging. Eco mentioned the unexpected success of his novel The Name of the Rose, attributing it to readers who seek challenging books. Although known as a novelist, Eco emphasized that his true identity lies within the academic world.