Class 12 English - ANDHRA-PRADESH
Prose: The Interview
The chapter 'The Interview' by Christopher Silvester, prescribed for Class 12 Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) students, explores the multifaceted medium of the interview as a communication tool. It traces its origins, uses, and the intense dislike many celebrities harbor toward it, viewing it as an unwarranted intrusion into their private lives. The second part presents an insightful excerpt from an interview between Mukund Padmanabhan of The Hindu and the legendary writer Umberto Eco, discussing Eco's academic writing style and his bestselling novel The Name of the Rose. This chapter is vital for board exams as it tests reading comprehension and thematic understanding.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Evolution of the Interview
Introduced over 130 years ago, interviews have become a common fixture of journalism, with opinions on its functions ranging from a source of truth to an unwelcome intrusion.
Celebrity Aversion
Many celebrities like V.S. Naipaul, Lewis Carroll, and Rudyard Kipling despised interviews, viewing them as immoral, cowardly crimes that diminish their personal dignity and privacy.
Positive Views on Interviews
Practitioners like Denis Brian consider interviews a supremely serviceable medium of impression, offering a vividly truthful peek into the minds of prominent figures.
Interstices (Umberto Eco's Philosophy)
Eco explains that he utilizes empty spaces or 'interstices' in his schedule—such as waiting for someone in an elevator—to write his scholarly and academic works.
Academic vs. Creative Writing
Umberto Eco successfully bridged the gap between serious academic research and accessible fiction, proving that profound philosophical ideas can be packaged into engaging narratives like The Name of the Rose.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) Class 12 English board examinations, this chapter regularly features in reading comprehension passages, short answer questions (3-4 marks), and long answer essay-type questions (6-8 marks) focusing on Umberto Eco's interview insights and celebrities' views on interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do celebrities like Rudyard Kipling and Lewis Carroll dislike interviews?
They considered interviews an intrusion into their private lives that left them wounded and robbed of their personal identity.
How does Umberto Eco manage to write so many scholarly and fictional works?
Eco utilizes 'interstices'—the empty spaces or spare moments in everyday life, like waiting for an elevator—to accomplish his writing tasks.
What is the main theme of Umberto Eco's novel 'The Name of the Rose'?
It is a detective story at its core that deeply incorporates metaphysics, theology, and medieval history, achieving unexpected worldwide success.
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