The Interview Chapter Notes | CBSE Class 12 English

Part I: The Interview as a Controversial Art Form

The first part of the chapter delves into the complex and often negative perceptions of the interview. Despite its commonplace status in modern journalism for over 130 years, it is viewed with suspicion and distaste by many. Christopher Silvester presents a spectrum of opinions from literary giants. V.S. Naipaul feels that interviews are a form of violation, stating that 'some people are wounded by interviews and lose a part of themselves'. Lewis Carroll, the creator of 'Alice in Wonderland', had a 'just horror of the interviewer' and actively avoided them. Rudyard Kipling considered it an 'assault' and 'immoral', a crime punishable by law. H.G. Wells, in an 1894 interview, referred to it as an 'ordeal'. These powerful condemnations paint the interview as an unwelcome intrusion into a person's private life. The chapter argues that despite these criticisms, the interview remains a 'supremely serviceable medium of communication', providing us with vivid impressions of our contemporaries and a source of 'truth'. It creates a central paradox: the public's desire for information versus the individual's right to privacy.

Key Terms from The Interview

Interview

A conversation where questions are asked and answers are given, commonly used in journalism to gather information from a person.

Semiotics

The study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation. Umberto Eco was a professor of semiotics.

Interstices

A small or narrow space or interval between things or parts. Umberto Eco used this term to describe the empty spaces or free time in his life (e.g., waiting for an elevator) where he did his writing.

Thumbprints on his windpipe

A metaphor used by Saul Bellow to describe the feeling of being choked or suffocated by an interview.

Ordeal

A painful or horrific experience, especially a long-lasting one. H.G. Wells referred to the interview as an 'ordeal'.

Dissertation

A long essay or thesis on a particular subject, especially one written for a university degree. Umberto Eco's first success came with his doctoral dissertation.

Metaphysics

The branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space. A key element in Eco's novel 'The Name of the Rose'.

Part II: An Interview with Umberto Eco

The second part shifts from theory to practice, presenting an excerpt of an interview between Mukund Padmanabhan of 'The Hindu' and the Italian intellectual Umberto Eco. This section serves as a powerful counterpoint to the negativity of Part I. Eco appears comfortable, articulate, and generous with his time and thoughts. The interview reveals his unique philosophy of work. He explains his ability to be incredibly prolific by utilizing what he calls 'interstices'—the empty gaps in time that most people waste. He says, 'I am working in empty spaces... while waiting for your elevator to come up from the first to the third floor, I have already written an article!' This highlights his efficient and philosophical approach to life. Eco also downplays the distinction between his academic work and his popular novels. He sees himself as an academic first, who happens to write novels on weekends. He describes his writing style as a narrative, which is why his scholarly works are also accessible. The conversation touches upon the phenomenal success of his novel, 'The Name of the Rose', a detective story layered with metaphysics, theology, and medieval history. Eco humbly admits that the reason for its success is a mystery, even to him, suggesting it was perfect for its time.

Views on Interviewing: A Comparison

Must-Remember Points for Revision

• The chapter is in two parts: Part I discusses the pros and cons of interviewing, and Part II is an actual interview with Umberto Eco.
• Many famous writers, like V.S. Naipaul, Lewis Carroll, and Rudyard Kipling, detested interviews, seeing them as an invasion of privacy.
• Despite criticism, the interview is considered a 'supremely serviceable medium of communication' and a source of 'truth'.
• Umberto Eco was an Italian semiotician, philosopher, literary critic, and novelist.
• Eco's secret to his massive productivity was using 'interstices' – small, empty gaps of time.
• Eco considered himself an academic first and a novelist second, writing novels on Sundays.
• His novel 'The Name of the Rose' became a huge success despite being a serious, dense book combining a detective story with metaphysics, theology, and medieval history.
• Eco's interview with Mukund Padmanabhan serves as a positive example of what an interview can achieve, contrasting with the negative views in Part I.

How to Ace 'The Interview' Questions

For long answer questions, always try to draw a contrast between Part I and Part II. If asked about the 'dark side' of interviewing, use examples like Naipaul and Kipling from Part I. Then, you can add nuance by showing how the interview with Eco in Part II is enlightening and not intrusive. Use keywords from the text like 'ordeal', 'thumbprints on his windpipe', 'interstices', and 'semiotics'. When discussing Umberto Eco, focus on his humility and his unique perspective on time and work. Quoting directly, even short phrases, can fetch you extra marks. For example, mentioning that Eco writes novels 'on Sundays' is a specific detail that shows you've read the text carefully.

Quick Revision Check

• What is the central paradox or conflict presented in Part I of the chapter? The conflict between the interview as a source of truth and a 'serviceable medium' versus it being an unwelcome intrusion into a person's privacy, as felt by many celebrities.
• What does Umberto Eco mean by 'interstices'? He refers to the small gaps of empty time in one's day (like waiting for an elevator or in a queue) which he uses productively for writing.
• Why, according to the chapter, did Rudyard Kipling's wife stop reporters from interviewing him? Because Kipling himself described interviewing as 'immoral' and an 'assault', and his wife was protecting him from this perceived attack.
• What are the main elements that made 'The Name of the Rose' a unique novel? It combined a detective narrative with deep philosophical and historical elements like metaphysics, theology, and medieval history.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Interview

Frequently Asked Questions