Class 12 English - MAHARASHTRA
Prose: The Interview
The chapter 'The Interview' by Christopher Silvester, prescribed for Class 12 Maharashtra Board (MSBSHSE) students, explores the multifaceted medium of the interview as a communication tool. Through excerpts from 'The Penguin Book of Interviews', it presents differing perspectives from famous personalities like Rudyard Kipling, H.G. Wells, Saul Bellow, and Umberto Eco. While some view interviews as an unwarranted intrusion into private lives or a form of 'warranted' crime, others like Eco embrace them to reveal hidden layers of their craft. For board exams, students must understand the dual nature of interviews, Eco's concept of academic writing disguised as novels, and master textual comprehension and writing skills.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Intrusion and Privacy
Many celebrities view interviews as a thumbprint on their windpipe and an invasion of their personal space, citing how famous writers detested being interviewed.
The Modern Vehicle of Journalism
Despite criticisms, the interview has become a commonplace feature of journalism, serving as a supreme medium of impression and truth in modern times.
Umberto Eco's 'Interstices'
Eco explains that he utilizes empty spaces, or 'interstices', in his schedule to accomplish massive amounts of scholarly and literary work.
The Academic Persona of Umberto Eco
Eco does not consider himself a true novelist; rather, he sees himself as a university professor who writes novels on Sundays, infusing academic philosophy into fiction.
The Success of 'The Name of the Rose'
Eco's medieval mystery novel achieved massive, unexpected success, which he attributes to a mysterious combination of timing and reader appetite rather than formulaic writing.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) Class 12 English Yuvakbharati board exam, prose passages from 'The Interview' typically contribute to the 80-mark written paper. Questions span unseen/seen comprehension, summary writing, vocabulary, and personal response questions, usually carrying around 4 to 6 marks in total.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rudyard Kipling refuse to be interviewed?
Kipling considered interviews immoral, an assault, and a cowardly crime that merited punishment, believing that a writer's private life should remain private.
What is the secret behind Umberto Eco's immense productivity?
Eco makes efficient use of empty spaces or 'interstices'—the small pockets of time, such as waiting for someone or riding an elevator, to get his writing done.
How does Umberto Eco view his own identity as a writer?
Eco firmly identifies as a university professor first, considering novel writing as something he only does on Sundays or during academic breaks.
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