Class 12 English - HARYANA
Prose: The Interview
The chapter 'The Interview' by Christopher Silvester, prescribed in the Class 12 English curriculum for Haryana (BSEH) students, explores the medium of the interview as an invention of modern journalism. It presents excerpts from an interview of Umberto Eco, a renowned scholar and novelist of 'The Name of the Rose', conducted by Mukund Padmanabhan. Eco discusses his novel-writing process, the concept of 'interstices' (empty spaces in time), and how he manages to achieve so much. The chapter also features opinions of famous personalities like V.S. Naipaul, Lewis Carroll, and Rudyard Kipling, who viewed interviews with extreme distaste, making it crucial for board exams.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Interview as a Communication Medium
Introduces the interview as a common facet of journalism that has become an art form, praised by some as a source of truth and despised by others as an unwarranted intrusion.
Umberto Eco's Academic and Literary Persona
Highlights Eco's unique ability to combine academic scholarship (semiotics) with fiction writing, proving that scholarly work can also be playful and imaginative.
The Concept of 'Interstices'
Eco explains that he utilizes empty spaces in time—such as waiting for someone or riding an elevator—to do his productive writing, maximizing efficiency.
Celebrity Views on Interviews
Presents contrasting viewpoints where writers like Rudyard Kipling, H.G. Wells, and Saul Bellow considered interviews immoral, an assault, and a crime that robbed them of their privacy.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Haryana Board (BSEH) Class 12 English exam, this chapter typically contributes to short answer questions, long answer questions, and reading comprehension extracts, generally carrying around 4-6 marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did celebrities like Rudyard Kipling and Lewis Carroll dislike being interviewed?
They viewed interviews as an intrusion into their private lives, an immoral act, and an assault that left them feeling diminished.
How does Umberto Eco find time to write so many books?
Eco utilizes empty spaces in time called 'interstices', such as waiting in an elevator or for a friend, to do his writing.
What is the main message of the chapter 'The Interview'?
The chapter explores both the positive and negative aspects of interviews as a medium of modern journalism through the experiences of prominent writers.
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