Class 12 English - GUJARAT
Prose: The Interview
The chapter 'The Interview' by Christopher Silvester explores the multifaceted nature of the interview as a communication medium through excerpts from 'The Penguin Book of Interviews'. It features an engaging dialogue between Mukund Padmanabhan and the legendary author Umberto Eco, who discusses his novel 'The Name of the Rose' and his unique academic writing method called 'interstices'. This chapter is vital for GSEB Class 12 board exams as it tests reading comprehension, critical thinking, and the ability to analyze perspectives on modern journalism, making it a frequent source for short-answer and long-answer questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Origin and Evolution of the Interview
Invented a little over 130 years ago, the interview has become an ordinary commonplace of journalism, viewed either with contempt as an unwarranted intrusion or praised as a true source of insight.
Celebrity Perspectives
Different luminaries hold contrasting views; V.S. Naipaul feels interviews wound people, Lewis Carroll abhorred being interviewed, and Rudyard Kipling considered it a crime and an immoral act.
Umberto Eco's Academic Productivity
Eco explains his massive output by stating that he pursues his philosophical interests through his academic writings and novel writing, utilizing empty spaces or 'interstices' in his daily schedule.
The Success of 'The Name of the Rose'
Eco's novel was a massive, unexpected bestselling mystery that also delved into metaphysics, medieval history, and semiotics, baffling even the author regarding its widespread popular appeal.
The Concept of 'Interstices'
Eco describes how he utilizes small empty moments—like waiting for someone or riding an elevator—to do productive thinking and writing, which allows him to accomplish so much.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB) Class 12 English exam, this prose piece typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include short answer questions (SAQs) testing comprehension of Umberto Eco's views, long answer questions (LAQs) on the pros and cons of interviews, and multiple-choice questions (MCQs) regarding authors and their quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kipling considered the interview a crime, an assault, and an immoral act that caused an unwarranted loss of personal freedom and privacy.
Kipling considered the interview a crime, an assault, and an immoral act that caused an unwarranted loss of personal freedom and privacy.
How does Umberto Eco manage to write so much while being a professor?
Eco explains that he utilizes the empty spaces or 'interstices' in his life—such as waiting for someone or riding an elevator—to do his mental work and writing.
What is the main theme of the chapter 'The Interview'?
The chapter explores the merits and demerits of the interview method in journalism, contrasting the views of various celebrities with Umberto Eco's practical experience.
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