Class 12 English - TAMILNADU
Prose: The Interview
The chapter 'The Interview' is an excerpt from Christopher Silvester's 'Penguin Book of Interviews', featuring an excerpt from an interview with the legendary writer Umberto Eco. For Class 12 Tamil Nadu (Samacheer Kalvi) students, this chapter is crucial as it explores the dual perspectives on the practice of interviews—some view it as a source of truth and an art form, while celebrities often consider it an unwarranted intrusion into their privacy. Mastering this chapter helps students understand advanced prose, enhances vocabulary, and prepares them for textual comprehension and paragraph questions in the board exams.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Origins and Purpose of Interviews
Introduced over 130 years ago, interviews have become an integral part of journalism, with varied perceptions among celebrities regarding their impact.
Celebrity Aversion to Interviews
Many prominent figures like V.S. Naipaul and Rudyard Kipling felt that interviews wounded them or were akin to a crime against their privacy.
Umberto Eco's Interdisciplinarity
Eco, a professor at the University of Bologna, is famous not just for his novel 'The Name of the Rose' but also for his extensive academic writings in semiotics.
The Secret of Eco's Productivity
Eco explains that he utilizes 'interstices'—empty spaces or idle moments in between daily activities—to write efficiently, much like the spaces in a universe he calls 'cosmic' or 'interstices'.
Significance of 'The Name of the Rose'
Eco's debut novel became a massive metaphysical and detective-mystery bestseller, though Eco himself believed its success was a mystery even to him.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Tamil Nadu (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 12 English Board Exam, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks, featuring in 1-mark synonym/antonym questions, short answer questions, and paragraph questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rudyard Kipling and V.S. Naipaul hate interviews?
They viewed interviews as an immoral intrusion into their private lives and personal space that left them feeling wounded.
How does Umberto Eco manage to write so much despite being a professor?
Eco utilizes 'interstices'—the empty, spare moments between different tasks, such as waiting for someone—to write his academic and literary works.
What is the main theme of the chapter 'The Interview'?
The chapter explores the merits and demerits of interviews, contrasting the views of interviewers and celebrities while highlighting Umberto Eco's unique approach to work.
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