D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)

\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________

The Interview
7 —Christopher Silvester

About the Author the impact and opinion may vary considerably about
its function. The interview of Umberto Eco has helped
Christopher Silvester (1959) was educated at Lancing him earn his name as a writer. Moreover he has tried
College Sussex, and Peter House, Cambridge, where to convince the readers that some interview becomes
he read history. From 1983 to 1994, he worked the source of inspiration for them.
for Private Eye, initially writing the ‘New Boys’
column. He has written for several newspapers and Summary
magazines. He is also the Editor of The Penguin Book
of Interviews: An Anthology from 1859 to the Present The Interview Summary Part I
Day and the author of The Pimlico Companion to Meetings are typical nowadays. The individuals who
Parliament. He currently writes obituaries for the see meets emphatically think of them as a wellspring
Times (of London) and book reviews. He is writing of truth and workmanship. Among the antagonistic
a three-volume social history of Hollywood for perspectives on interviews is the supposition
Pantheon Books. that they are an undesirable, unjustifiable, and
superfluous interruption and attack into a man’s
Theme private life; they leave individuals injured and
destroyed. There are some who have even portrayed
‘The Interview’ written by Christopher Silvester meetings as an experience and a thumbprint on their
briefs the new invention ‘Interview’ in the field windpipe.
of journalism. Interview that was invented over
Yet, in the advanced world, interviews are a
130 years has become a commonplace journalism.
remarkably workable vehicle of correspondence and
Today, every literate or illiterate will have to
help to make impressions of our peers. The questioner
experience interview at some points of their life. It
holds a ground-breaking position and impact.
is surprising to notice that as an interviewer, each
one is comfortable, whereas as an interviewee, they The Interview Summary Part II
feel it much disturbing and diminishing. It is a passage from a meeting of Prof. Umberto
Eco. In his meeting with Mukund Padmanabhan,
Justification of the Title Umberto discusses his inclinations, his style, and
the accomplishment of The Name of the Rose. He
The title ‘The Interview’ is appropriate as it is the says that his central advantages are philosophical
heart and soul of the lesson. The pros and cons of the and moral, and these are likewise the prevailing
interview are discussed with apt examples in the first subjects of his scholastic work and books. Indeed,
part. The part II talks about interview of Umberto even his books for youngsters are about peacefulness
Eco who has acquired the sobriquet of intellectual and harmony.
superstardom with the publication of ‘The Name
He says that there is a perky and individual quality
of the Rose’. He was a professor who had earned
in his works, which is an embraced one. He found
his name and fame in his field. He talked about his
his style when he presented his doctoral theory. His
satisfaction and achievement in his writing. He also
theory recounted an account of his examination,
revealed that he wrote in interstices. He was not
his preliminaries, and blunders. He, at that point,
like his friend Roland Barthes. He openly admitted
created his preference for portrayal. Henceforth his
that his success in the novel, The Name of the Rose
scholarly works are not dry and exhausting.
depended on the timing of its publication.
He explains how he uses even the briefest holes in the
middle of two unique bits of errand that give others a
Message
fallacious impression that he is doing endless things.
“The Interview” deals with the importance of He calls these holes’ interstices’. Working during
interview as essential part of literature. With time these interstices makes him do some incredible
its advent is more acceptable in journalism. However, things.

286
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


The Name of the Rose was a splendid achievement and one takes a photographic portrait of somebody then
brought him awesome popularity. Its prosperity might one is stealing that person’s soul. V. S. Naipaul
be a direct result of the troublesome understanding ‘feels that some people are wounded by interviews
experience and interpretative perusing that is offered and lose a part of themselves,’
to the peruser who didn’t generally look for simple Questions
understanding encounters. (i) What are the positive points people make about
Conclusion of the Interview interviews?
The exposition is a concentrate from the Introduction (a) It is an enjoyable session where one can talk
to The Penguin Book of Interviews. It examines the and laugh.
meeting as a correspondence type that has come to (b) It is a source of truth and in its practice, an
remain. The conclusion of The Interview includes the art.
views from the point of journalism and the stars and (c) One comes to know people better.
their insight into the part of their lives. (d) One comes to know the thinking and inner
feelings of the person being interviewed.
CHAPTER IN A NUTSHELL
(ii) How do celebrities usually consider themselves
Technique of Interview when being interviewed?
● Interview has become a vital fact of everyone’s life, (a) As victims of the interview.
regardless of the class, literary or other activities. (b) As heroes of the interview.
● It enables us to know the opinion of many (c) As something which has to be done and got
celebrities. over.
● The author talks about the technique of ‘interview’ (d) they are indifferent to all types of interview.
as a new way of interrogating facts. (iii) Why do celebrities usually despise interviews?
● He also discuses the functions, methods and
(a) They hate talking about their personal lives.
merits of an interview. (b) They are usually introverts who like to be
Interview with Umberto ECO left alone.
● In this part, the author incorporates an excerpt (c) They consider interviews as unwarranted
from the writer, Umberto Eco. intrusions into their lives.
● Here we get a glimpse of his literacy method. (d) They don’t want to share their lives with
● He is a professor at the University of Bologna in others.
Italy. (iv) What are V.S. Naipaul’s views on interview?
● He enjoys a daunting status as a scholar for his (a) It is an enjoyable experience.
philosophies on semiotics (the study of sings), (b) People are wounded, and lose a part of
literary interpretation and medieval aesthetics. themselves.
● His interview with Mukund Padmanabhan (c) Interviews bring celebrities and their
centres around the successful novel, The Name of audience closer to one another.
the Rose’. (d) People like talking about interviews more
than giving interviews.
Views of some famous personalities included.
● The author also quotes the views of some famous
(v) How do interviews ‘wound’ people who are
celebrities about interview. The names include interviewed?
V.S. Naipaul, Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling, (a) By invading their privacy.
H.G. Wells and Saul Bellow. (b) By highlighting their achievements.
(c) By expressing their opinion about them.
Type. I Refe ence o on ex (d) By criticizing them all the time.
r
t
C
t
t
Read the extracts given below and attempt the (vi) Why are taking photographs of people not
questions that follow: allowed in some cultures?
1. Some might make quite extravagant claims for it as Answers
being, in its highest form, a source of truth, and, in (i) (b) It is a source of truth and in its practice, an
its practice, an art. Others, usually celebrities who art.
see themselves as its victims, might despise the
(ii) (a) As victims of the interview.
interview as an unwarranted intrusion into their
lives, or feel that it somehow diminishes them, just (iii) (c) They consider interviews as unwarranted
as in some primitive cultures it is believed that if intrusions into their lives.
h nt rvi 287
T
e
I
e
ew
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


(iv) (b) People are wounded, and lose a part of Answers
themselves. (i) (a) A crime, an assault which merits punishment.
(v) (a) By invading their privacy. (ii) (a) Mark Twain
(vi) They feel it is a way of stealing their souls. (iii) (c) Thumbprints on his windpipe.
2. Yet Kipling had himself perpetrated such an (iv) (d) As a supremely serviceable medium of
‘assault’ on Mark Twain only a few years before. communication.
H. G. Wells in an interview in 1894 referred to
(v) (a) to do something wrong
‘the interviewing ordeal’, but was a fairly frequent
interviewee and forty years later found himself (vi) Some people regard interview as an ‘ordeal’
interviewing Joseph Stalin. Saul Bellow, who has because they feel it reduces their importance
consented to be interviewed on several occasions, 3. I remember that my dear friend Roland Barthes
nevertheless once described interviews as being was always frustrated that he was an essayist
like thumbprints on his windpipe. Yet despite and not a novelist. He wanted to do creative
the drawbacks of the interview, it is a supremely writing one day or another but he died before he
serviceable medium of communication. could do so. I never felt this kind of frustration. I
Questions started writing novels by accident. I had nothing
(i) How did Kipling view interviews? to do one day and so I started. Novels probably
(a) A c r i m e , a n a s s a u l t w h i c h m e r i t s satisfied my taste for narration.
punishment. Mukund: Talking about novels, from being
(b) A delight, a relaxing event where one can

a famous academic you went on to becoming
talk about oneself. spectacularly famous after the publication of The
(c) It is like someone trying to choke you to get Name of the Rose.
information out of you.
Questions
(d) It is refreshing like the morning dew
settling on the leaves. (i) Why was Roland Barthes always frustrated?
(a) He could not write essays which he wanted
(ii) Whom did Kipling assault with an interview?
to do.
(a) Mark Twain (b) Lewis Carroll
(c) H.G. Wells (d) Saul Bellow (b) He was an essayist and not a novelist.
(c) His novels would not sell.
(iii) How did Saul Bellow view interviews?
(d) His short stories sold at a very slow rate.
(a) An interesting conversation between two
people. (ii) Why didn’t Umberto Eco feel frustrated like his
(b) A very pleasant experience of chatting friend?
together. (iii) What type of style did Umberto Eco use for his
(c) Thumbprints on his windpipe. writing?
(d) As bad as stale food being eaten and getting (a) Expository (b) Persuasive
an upset stomach. (c) Descriptive (d) Narrative
(iv) How does the author describe the interview? (iv) The publication of which book of Umberto made
(a) A wasting of time which one can put to him famous?
better use. (a) The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana
(b) A method by which the public comes to know (b) The Name of the Rose
the life of celebrities. (c) The Prague Cemetery
(c) A useful interaction with people to know (d) Faucault’s Pendulum
their thoughts, likes, etc.
(v) ‘I never felt this kind of frustration’. What does
(d) As a supremely serviceable medium of the speaker refer to by the world ‘this’?
communication.
(a) He refers to his own frustration of not being
(v) The word ‘perpetrated’ means ..... able to write a novel.
(a) to do something wrong (b) He refers to Roland’s frustration of not
(b) to do something right being able to write a novel.
(c) to avoid doing something (c) He refers to his frustration when his book
(d) to make sure you do something useful was a failure.
(vi) Why do some people refer to interview as an (d) He refers to Roland’s frustration with the
‘ordeal’? quality of his essays.
288 English Cor -X
e
II
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


(vi) What does the world ‘academic’ mean in this (b) He hates going out for a walk.
context? (c) He thinks it is better to watch T.V. than
(a) A place where one studies like a college or read a book.
university. (d) He enjoys it and he needs it.
(b) A place where people store books. (iii) What did Eco’s publisher anticipate about the sale
(c) A collection of books. of ‘The Name of the Rose’?
(d) A person who teaches or researches at a (iv) According to Eco what was the reason for the
college or university. success of his book?
Answers (a) It was a thriller.
(i) (b) He was an essayist and not a novelist. (b) It dealt with metaphysics.
(ii) He did’t feel so because he had started writing (c) The success of the book has a mystery.
novels by accident at the age of 50. (d) The book was advertised well in advance.
(iii) (d) Narrative (v) How do we know that Eco’s publisher was
(iv) (b) The Name of the Rose surprised by the success of ‘The Name of the
(v) (a) He refers to his own frustrations of not being Rose’?
able to write a novel. (a) She had expected to sell 3 million copies in
(vi) (a) A place where one studies like a college or the US.
university. (b) She had expected to sell only 3000
4. And this is because journalists and publishers copies.
believe that people like trash and don’t like (c) She had enjoyed reading it.
difficult reading experiences. Consider there are (d) She liked references to the cathedral and
six billion people on this planet. The Name of Latin studies.
the Rose sold between 10 and 15 million copies.
(vi) The Journalist had misjudged the readers by
So in a way I reached only a small percentage of
saying that
readers. But it is exactly these kinds of readers
(a) people did not enjoy reading trash.
who don’t want easy experiences. Or at least
don’t always want this. I myself, at 9 pm after (b) people did not enjoy. Eco’s style of
dinner, watch television and want to see either writing.
‘Miami Vice’ or ‘Emergency Room’. I enjoy it and I (c) people did not enjoy reading about heavy
need it. But not all day. Mukund: Could the huge stuff like medieval history.
success of the novel have anything to do with the (d) people loved novels based on medieval
fact that it dealt with a period of medieval history history.
that... Umberto Eco: That’s possible. But let me Answers
tell you another story, because I often tell stories (i) (b) People like reading trash and not difficult
like a Chinese wise man. My American publisher reading.
said while she loved my book, she didn’t expect (ii) (d) He enjoys it and he needs it.
to sell more than 3,000 copies in a country where
(iii) Eco’s publisher expected that only about 3,000
nobody has seen a cathedral or studies Latin. So
copies of the book would be sold.
I was given an advance for 3,000 copies, but in
(iv) (c) The success of the book was a mystery.
the end it sold two or three million in the U.S.
(v) (b) She had expected to sell only 3000
Questions
copies.
(i) What belief do most journalists and publishers (vi) (a) people did not enjoy reading trash
have?

5. Maybe I give the impression of doing many
(a) Very few people read at all.
things. But in the end, I am convinced I am
(b) People like reading trash and not difficult always doing the same thing… And then I have
reading. a secret. Did you know what will happen if you
(c) The more they publish, the more satisfaction eliminate the empty spaces from the universe,
they get. eliminate the empty spaces in all the atoms? The
(d) Stories should be entertaining for people universe will become as big as my fist. Similarly,
who read them. we have a lot of empty spaces in our lives. I call
(ii) Why does Umberto Eco watch television at 9 p.m? them interstices. Say you are coming over to
(a) He has nothing else to do. my place. You are in an elevator and while you

h nt rvi 289
T
e
I
e
ew
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


are coming up, I am waiting for you. This is Choose the literary device that best describes
an interstice, an empty space. I work in empty what Eco does with the concepts of ‘empty
spaces.

spaces’ and ‘waiting’.
Questions
(a) Juxtaposition (b) Irony
(i) Read the questions given below. Imagine they

(c) Oxymoron (d) Symbolism
were interjections raised by the interviewer

based on the above extract. Choose the option (v) According to Eco which of the following can be
that correctly describes the given questions. defined as ‘interstices’?...........
(1) If you are “always doing the same thing”, (a) Waiting for a visitor to arrive
isn’t your work lacking in originality? (b) Eating lunch or dinner
(2) Could you elaborate on these larger ethical, (c) Sleeping at night
philosophical interests that inform your (d) Talking to friends
work? (vi) What trait of Eco’s character is revealed in the
(3) All writing happens in empty spaces. In above extract?
fact, why don’t I tell you all about my Answers
experiences? (i) (c) (1) is inappropriate; (2) is relevant; and (3)
(a) (1) is not relevant; (2) is appropriate; and is not relevant

(3) is unnecessary (ii) (b) Big Exposé: Eco’s Secret Revealed!
(b) (1) is appropriate; (2) is repetitive; and (iii) (c) Options (i) and (iii)

(3) is useful information
(iv) (b) irony
(c) (1) is inappropriate; (2) is relevant; and
(v) (a) Waiting for a visitor to arrive

(3) is not relevant
(vi) He was able to do so many things simul-
(d) (1) is unnecessary; (2) is intrusive; and
taneously.

(3) is extrapolatory
6. Saul Bellow, who has consented to be interviewed
(ii) Based on your reading of Part I of ‘The
on several occasions, nevertheless once described
Interview’, which one of the following may NOT
interviews as being like thumbprints on his
be an appropriate title to the above extract?
windpipe. Yet despite the drawbacks of the
(a) The Empty Spaces of Umberto Eco
interview, it is a supremely serviceable medium
(b) Big Exposé: Eco’s Secret Revealed! of communication. “These days, more than at
(c) “I am always doing the same thing”: Eco’s any other time, our most vivid impressions of our
Echoes contemporaries are through interviews,” Denis
(d) Umberto Eco, Mr. Prolific! Brian has written. “Almost everything of moment
(iii) “I work in empty spaces”. Choose the option reaches us through one man asking questions of
that most accurately captures Eco’s idea of another. Because of this, the interviewer holds a
empty spaces. position of unprecedented power and influence.”
(i) management of time Questions
(ii) organization of space
(i) How would you describe Denis Brian’s opinion
(iii) philosophical inclination on interviews? Choose the most appropriate
(iv) command of thought option.
(a) Options (i) and (ii) (1) Appeasing (2) Utilitarian


(b) Options (iii) and (iv) (3) Approving (4) Praising

(c) Options (i) and (iii) (a) Options (1) and (2)


(d) Options (ii) and (iv) (b) Options (3) and (4)

(iv) Umberto Eco states that ‘empty spaces’ actually (c) Options (2) and (3)
fill spaces, and without them the universe (d) Options (1) and (4)
would be the size of the human fist. He also (ii) According to Saul Bellow, interviews are like
goes on to say that it is in an interstice such thumbprints on his windpipe. What emotion
as waiting, which the dictionary defines as a might best describe such an image?
time for pause, that he works. That is, passive (a) Sadness (b) Frustration
waiting is essentially active writing time. (c) Pain (d) Fear
290 English Cor -X
e
II
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


(iii) Denis Brian states that the interviewer (b) Because it was becoming popular
occupies a position of power and influence as (c) Because of its high rated success
___________ (d) None
(a) everything reaches us through one man 3. What was Lewis Caroll’s opinion of interviews
asking questions of another. and autographs?
(b) the interview is a supremely serviceable
(a) Wonder (b) Terror
medium of communication.
(c) Horror (d) None
(c) o u r m o s t v i v i d i m p r e s s i o n s o f o u r
contemporaries are through interviews. 4. Which period of history do Umberto’s novels
(d) interviews are like thumbprints on the deal with?
interviewee’s windpipe. (a) Renaissance (b) Dark age
(iv) The use of the word “serviceable” implies that (c) Modern era (d) Medieval period
interviews are _________ 5. Why did Umberto start writing novels?
(a) significant. (b) powerful. (a) To avail an opportunity
(c) advanced. (d) useful. (b) To be in limelight
(v) What does the narrator mean when he says (c) To share his views
‘interviews as being like thumbprints on his (d) To make best use of empty spaces means
windpipe’? free time
(vi) Interviews are helpful in 6. What facts are being showcased in the interview
(a) giving the most confusing impression of the held between Eco and Padamanabhan?
interviewee. (a) He takes pride in being an academician, a
(b) giving the most vivid impression of the university Professor first
interviewer. (b) Being a novelist is a secondary thing for
(c) giving the most vivid impression of the him
interviewee. (c) uses his free time for writing novels
(d) giving the most clear understanding of the (d) All these
interviews in general.
7. What do his works for children speak about ?
Answers
(a) His passion for children
(i) (c) Options (2) and (3)
(b) Children are nuisance
(ii) (c) Pain
(c) Children love to be happy
(iii) (a) everything reaches us through one man
asking questions of another. (d) Non-violence and peace
(iv) (d) useful. 8. Explain ‘Denis Brain’s statement “Almost
(v) He means that he felt choked and suffocated everything of moment reaches us through one
when he sat for interview. man asking questions of others.’
(vi) (c) giving the most vivid impression of the (a) The interviewer has the power
interviewee. (b) The interviewer has status
(c) The interviewer can elicit the truth and
Type II. Tex -Based Ques ons has the power to influence
t
ti
(d) All of the above
I. Multiple Choice Questions 9. ‘An Interview is a supremely serviceable

medium of communication’ is a .......
1. What do Rudyard Kipling and his wife express
about interviews? (a) a medium to gossip
(a) Immoral (b) Not good (b) a medium to be the talk of the town
(c) Very bad (c) a medium to prosper
(d) Immoral and offensive crime against a (d) a noble medium of interaction and
person introspection
2. Why were the journalists and publishers 10. What satisfied Umberto’s taste for narration?
puzzled by the success of The Name of the (a) Stories (b) Children’s works
Rose? (c) Interviews (d) Novels
(a) Because readers like trash and it was a 11. What do you understand by the expression
serious novel ‘Thumbprints on his windpipes”?

h nt rvi 291
T
e
I
e
ew
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


(a) Creating excessive pressure on throat 19. According to Umberto what will happen to the
(b) Creating excessive pressure on vocal chords world if we eliminate empty spaces from the
(c) Creating excessive pressure and tension universe?
for someone (a) The world will become beautiful
(b) The world will be completely ours
(d) None
(c) The world will shrink and will become as
12. At what age did Umberto Eco start writing big as a fist.
novels? (d) The world will be round
(a) At the age of 55 Answers
(b) At the age of 52 1. (d) Immoral and offensive crime against a

(c) At the age of 57 person
(d) At the age of 50 2. (a) Because readers like trash and it was a
13. Why do most celebrity writers despise being serious novel
interviewed? 3. (c) Horror
(a) They don’t like journalists 4. (d) Medieval period
5. (d) To make best use of empty spaces means
(b) Unwarranted intrusion in their life
free time
(c) Their privacy is hurt 6. (d) All of the above
(d) None 7. (d) Non-violence and peace
14. What is the reason for huge success of the 8. (d) All of the above
novel The Name of the Rose ? 9. (d) A n o bl e m e d i u m o f i n tera ction a n d
(a) mystic introspection
(b) metaphysics and medieval history period 10. (d) Novels
used 11. (c) Creating excessive pressure and tension for
someone
(c) detective style and theology
12. (d) At the age of 50
(d) All of the above
13. (b) Unwarranted intrusion in their life
15. How does Umberto Eco find so much time to 14. (d) All of the above
write so much? 15. (d) Using empty spaces (free times) like waiting
(a) Using early morning time for someone, break time
(b) Using his office time 16. (d) Varied opinions of celebrities regarding an
(c) Using his family time interview
(d) Using empty spaces (free times) like 17. (d) A serious one
waiting for someone, break time 18. (a) Because of its power, influence and medium
of communication
16. What did the author present in this book?
19. (c) The world will shrink and will become as big
(a) varied opinions of politicians as a fist.
(b) varied opinions of civilians
(c) varied opinions of armymen
II. Short Answer Questions
(d) varied opinions of celebrities regarding an 1. How can you justify the importance of
interview interview in modern journalism?
17. What kind of novel was The Name of The Rose? Ans. The interview is the most serviceable medium
(a) Hilarious (b) Fiction of communication in the modern times. It has
become a commonplace of journalism. Several
(c) Non-fiction (d) A serious one
thousand celebrities have been interviewed
18. In what way interviews have become a over the years. We come to know about them
common place of journalism? only through interviews.
(a) because of its power, influence and medium 2. What was the attitude of Lewis Carroll
of communication towards interview? How would he react to it?
(b) because of its pomp Ans. Lewis Carroll feared an interviewer. He never
(c) because of its glory consented to be interviewed. He feared being
(d) because of its rapport lionized and repelled would-be acquaintances,
292 English Cor -X
e
II
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


interviewers, and the persistent petitioners for 8. What is the general impression created by
his autograph. He felt satisfied and amused at Umberto Eco’s output? How does he react to
silencing all such people. it?
3. Who is V.S. Naipaul? What does he say about Ans. The diversity and volume of Umberto’s output
interview? baffles people. Even David Lodge, the English
Ans. V.S. Naipaul is a celebrated cosmopolitan novelist and academic once remarked that he
writer. He has written novels, travel books could not understand how one man could do all
the things Eco did. Eco admits that he might
and documentary works. He presents his
have given the impression of doing many
impression of India, the country of his
things but he is convinced that he is always
ancestors, in them. He says that some people
doing the same thing.
are wounded by interviews and lose a part of
9. “I am convinced I am always doing the same
themselves.
thing”, Umberto Eco. How does he explain it?
4. Why did Rudyard Kipling refuse to be
Ans. Eco says that he pursues his philosophical
interviewed?
interests through his academic work and his
Ans. Kipling considered an interview as immoral. novels. Even his books for children are about
For him it was a crime in the same category non-violence and peace. These are the same
as an offence against his person, as an assault bunch of ethical, philosophical interests.
and it merited just as much punishment. He
10. What secret does Umberto Eco reveal about
called it cowardly and vile. No respectable man
his time management?
would ask it, much less give it.
5. What disparity between Kipling’s attitude Ans. Eco explains that time management is a
towards the interviewer do you notice in the secret. He works in empty spaces. There are
chapter, ‘The Interview’ ? a lot of empty spaces in our lives. He calls
them interstices. Suppose someone is coming
Ans. Kipling had quite a condemnatory attitude
in an elevator from the first to the third floor
towards the interviewer. The diary entry of his
to Eco’s place and he is waiting for the man.
wife, Caroline, for 14 October 1892 states that
During this interstice, Eco has already written
their day was ruined by two reporters from
an article.
Boston. Yet Kipling had himself committed
such an “assault” on Mark Twain only a few 11. What do you learn about Umberto Eco’s
years before. writing style from ‘The Interview’.?
6. What drawbacks of interview have been Ans. Eco’s essays have a narrative aspect. He has
pointed out by celebrities who consented to adopted an informal approach. Even his non-
be interviewed several times? What does this fictional writing, his scholarly work has a
reveal? playful and personal quality about it. It shows
a marked departure from the regular academic
Ans. H.G. Wells and Saul Bellow are two celebrities
style—which is usually depersonalised and
who consented to be interviewed several
often dry and boring.
times. In 1894, H.G. Wells referred to ‘the
interviewing ordeal’. Saul Bellow once 12. What problem did Roland Barthes face? Did
described interviews as being like thumbprints Eco suffer from it?
on his windpipe. This shows that even lovers Ans. Ronald Barthes was an essayist. He felt
of interview have a deep inherent fear of being frustrated that he was not a novelist. He
interviewed. wanted to do creative writing, but he died
7. What do you learn about Umberto Eco’s before he could do so. Eco never felt such kind
creative work from ‘The Interview’ ? of frustration. His essays have a narrative
Ans. Umberto Eco is a versatile genius, a prolific aspect. Novels too satisfied his taste for
writer. He has written on wide ranging narration.
subjects such as literary fiction, academic 13. How, according to Umberto Eco, did he become
texts, essays, children’s book and newspaper a novelist?
articles. As against 5 novels he has 40 non- Ans. Umberto Eco says that he started writing
fiction works to his credit which show his novels by accident. He had nothing to do one
scholarship. day and so he started. He admits that novels

h nt rvi 293
T
e
I
e
ew
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


probably satisfied his taste for narration. He did not expect very good response in America
started writing novels at the age of 50 or so. because in this country nobody had seen a
14. How does Umberto Eco react to the observation, cathedral or studied Latin. In other words,
“Oh, he’s the novelist” ? What reasons does he people were ignorant about the medieval past
offer? there.
Ans. The comment bothers Eco because he considers 20. Justify the title, ‘The Interview’.
himself an academic scholar first and a Ans. The title of the excerpt is quite apt and
novelist later. He says, “I consider myself logical. Umberto Eco reveals certain facts
a university professor who writes novels in the interview. He prefers to be called an
on Sundays.” He participates in academic academician than a novelist. He is more
conferences and identifies himself with the interested in scholarly non-fictional writing.
academic community. His non-fictional writings are 40 compared to
15. What has made Umberto Eco popular among his 5 novels. He started writing novels at the
the people and how? age of 50 just by accident. He writes novels
Ans. It is Umberto Eco’s novels that have made occasionally. He says that he is a professor
him popular among the people. Ten to fifteen who writes novels on Sundays.
million copies of the novel ‘The Name of the 21. Was the medieval historical background the
Rose’ were sold. Eco admits that he reaches a reason of the huge success of ‘The Name of the
larger audience by writing novels. He cannot Rose’ ? What, according to Umberto Eco, was
expect to have one million readers with his the reason of its huge success?
book on semiotics. Ans. The interviewer Mukund Padmanabhan
16. What sort of novel is ‘The Name of the Rose’ ? thinks that ‘The Name of the Rose’ achieved a
Who must have been puzzled at its success? huge success because of its medieval historical
Ans. ‘The Name of the Rose’ is a very serious background. Umberto Eco doesn’t seem to
novel. It is a detective story at one level. But agree with him. Many books had already been
it also probes into metaphysics, theology and written about medieval past earlier. They
medieval history. Eco was not puzzled at its didn’t got that much success. He thinks that
huge success, but journalists and publishers the success of the book was a mystery. Perhaps
were. it came at the appropriate time. If it had come
17. “Journalists are puzzled. And sometimes ten years earlier or later, perhaps it would not
publishers”, says Umberto Eco. What have been such a huge success.
arguments does he offer to support his 22. Why do you think Christopher Silvester
contention? describes the viewpoints of other writers
Ans. Eco says that journalists and publishers and authors when discussing the concept
believe that people like trash and don’t like of an interview? Support your opinion with
difficult reading experience. But there are reference to any one writer cited.
readers who don’t want easy experiences and Ans. To show that the viewpoints of people vary
not always or all times. He too watches light considerably regarding an interview, is the
entertainment on T.V. after dinner. He enjoys reason why Christopher describes this. Some
it and needs it, but not all day. people feel that in its highest form it is a source
18. Why was Umberto Eco given an advance for of truth while others feel they are victims
3000 copies only? of an unwanted intrusion into their lives.
Ans. Eco’s American publisher told him that she In Naipaul’s words ‘People are wounded, by
loved her book, but she didn’t expect to sell interviews and lose a part of themselves.’
more than 3000 copies there. So Eco was given 23. How would you evaluate Mukund
an advance for 3,000 copies only. But in the Padmanabhan as an interviewer? Mention at
end it sold two or three million in the U.S. least two qualities he displays in his interview,
19. Why, do you think, did the American publisher supported by textual evidence.
think that the novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ Ans. Mukund Padmanabhan appears to be a
won’t sell well in America? meticulous and respectful interviewer. It is
Ans. The novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ dealt with evident that he has thoroughly researched
a period of medieval history. The publisher about his interviewee (Umberto Eco). He

294 English Cor -X


is respectful in his behaviour and does not Despite all these drawbacks, interviews help
interrupt him while Eco is speaking. He has

us to learn about our contemporaries and form
indepth knowledge of Eco’s work and asks him opinions. In short, interviews act like mirrors
interesting and relevant questions like how he to reflect the personality of the interviewee.
feels on being recognised as a novelist rather
2. What impression do you form about Umberto
than as an academician. He also discusses the
Eco as a scholar and writer on the basis of ‘The
immense popularity of his novel ‘The Name of
The Rose’ and how he feels about its success. Interview’ ?
24. Christopher Silvester shares author’s Ans. Umberto Eco impresses us a person who
reservations about interviewing. Bearing that remains frank and modest in spite of achieving
in mind, would you interview a writer of your intellectual super stardom. Success usually
choice? If so, what would you pay particular makes people arrogant, but we discover no
attention to in interviewing the said writer? trace of it in his personality. He is a level
Ans. Yes, I would love to interview Ruskin Bond, headed person whose priorities are well
an author, I enjoy reading. I would keep my defined. Though he has achieved phenomenal
questions focussed on his art of writing, the success with the publication of his novel ‘The
source of his ideas, the other hobbies that he Name of the Rose’ of which about 10 million
enjoyed etc., but steer clear of asking him copies have been sold, he regards novel as
any questions that might seem intrusive, a means of reaching a larger audience. He
disrespectful and gossipy. frankly admits that he could not even expect
to have one million readers with his scholarly
III. Long Answer Questions book on semiotics. He regards himself an
1. ‘Yet, despite the drawbacks of the interview, academic scholar first and a novelist later.
it is a supremely serviceable medium of He frankly admits that he started writing
communication.’ Highlight the importance of novels by accident. Now he is a professor who
interview, its drawbacks and positive aspects writes novels on Sundays. Compared to his
and reactions of celebrity writers on the basis five novels, he has more than forty non-fiction
of the chapter, ‘The Interview’. work to his credit, which show his scholarship.
Or He explains that he works in interstices or
empty spaces. This is the mystery behind so

“ ... it is hardly surprising that opinions of
much of his output.

the interview—of its functions, methods and
merits—vary considerably.” Elucidate. 3. How does Umberto Eco pursue his philosophical
Ans. Although ‘Interview’ as a literary genre is and academic interests? How does he make use
not more than 150 years old, it has become of ‘interstices’ ? What are the distinguishing
an important tool for the journalists. Several features of his non-fictional style?
thousand celebrities have been interviewed Ans. Umberto Eco has many philosophical interests.
over the years, and some of them repeatedly. He pursues them through his academic works
Opinions differ. Some consider it a source of and novels. Even his books for children are
truth and an art. Others despise the interview about non-violence and peace. They are the
as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives. same bunch of ethical and philosophical
The celebrities see themselves as its victims. interests. Eco has written more than 40
They feel that it somehow diminishes them. scholarly non-fictional works. Among them
V.S. Naipaul feels that some people are is a seminal work on semiotics. He prefers to
be called an academician. He participates in

wounded by interviews and lose a part
of themselves. Lewis Carroll was said to academic conferences and not in the meetings
have had ‘a just horror of the interviewer’. of pen clubs and writers. He identifies himself
Rudyard Kipling considered interview as an with the academic community. He declares
assault. H.G. Wells, who was a fairly frequent that he is a university professor who writes
interviewee, has referred to ‘the interviewing novels on Sundays.
ordeal.’ Saul Bellow, who was interviewed on Umberto Eco shares a secret with the

several occasions, once described interviews interviewer. He thinks that if we eliminate the
as being like thumbprints on his windpipe. empty spaces from the universe the world will

h nt rvi 295
T
e
I
e
ew
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


shrink. It will become as big as a fist. Similarly Umberto Eco gives an example to illustrate

we have a lot of empty spaces or interstices in that no one can judge the mood of the reading
our lives. He works in these empty spaces and public. His American publishers gave him
uses them to his advantage. an advance for only 3,000 copies. But 2 to 3
Umberto Eco has evolved a distinct non- million copies were sold in the USA alone.

fictional style. It is different from the regular The total sale was between 10 and 15 million
academic style which is usually ‘depersonalised copies. Umberto Eco thinks that ‘The Name of
and often dry and boring.’ Padmanabhan finds the Rose’ was written at the most appropriate
a certain playful and personal quality about time. If it had been written ten years earlier
his scholarly work. Eco admits that his essays or later, it would not have been such a huge
have a narrative aspect. This narrative style of success.
his scholarly works was fully developed later 5. Imagine that you are Christopher Silvester.
on in his novels. You have been invited to a seminar series
4. How did Umberto Eco start writing novels and titled–‘Ethics and Techniques of Interviewing’.
when? What does he prefer to be called—a The organisers would like you to speak about

novelist or a scholar? What does he say about the challenges of conducting interviews, and
the huge success of his novel ‘The Name of the skills interviewers must have in order to
Rose’ in spite of it being a difficult and a very conduct good and ethical interviews.
serious novel?
Based on your reading of The Interview, Part
Ans. Umberto Eco admits that he became a novelist
I and II, draft your speech including relevant
just by accident. He started writing novels at details from the text in support of your
a late age of 50, more or less. He has written answer.
only five novels against his more than forty
Ans. Good afternoon. It gives me great pleasure
non-fictional writings. He prefers to be
to interact with you all on a very interesting
called an academician though most people
topic-‘Ethics and Techniques of Interviewing’.
know him as a novelist. He says that he is a
professor who writes novels on Sundays. Thus I have been a journalist for the last decade or
writing novels is his secondary and occasional so and have certain rules of interviewing that
occupation. I follow rigidly.
The novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ was The most important rule is to know your

boundaries–the questions that you can ask

published in 1980. More than 10 million copies
were sold and Eco acquired the equivalent and those that are intrusive as the famous
of intellectual superstardom with it. The writer V.S. Naipaul said ‘Interviewers feel
interviewer asks what can be the possible that some people are wounded by interviews
reason of its huge success. Perhaps it can be and lose a part of themselves.’ Infact did you
the medieval background of the novel. But know that Lewis Carroll, the famous writer of
Umberto does not seem to believe it. He says Alice in Wonderland refused to give interviews
that a lot of books have been written earlier while Rudyard Kipling felt interviews were
about the medieval past. All of them did not immoral and an ‘assault’ against him. Some
get that much popularity and success. Even people like Saul Bellow who felt suffocated
he can’t understand the phenomenal success while giving an interview called it ‘thumb
of ‘The Name of the Rose’. It is a mystery even prints on his windpipe’. Therefore before
to him. interviewing anyone I research well about
Eco agrees that ‘The Name of the Rose’ is my interviewee and make sure that I never

a difficult and quite serious novel. It has ask him/her any personal questions. All I
proved the journalists and publishers wrong. focus on is the area in which the person has
They think that people like only ‘trash’ or excelled his art or music, his beliefs etc. So
something light. They don’t like difficult that he/she feels comfortable while answering
reading. However, the success of ‘The Name my questions. If someone does not want to
of the Rose’ has shown that people like serious speak on any area I change my questions.
and difficult readings also. Respect and good manners are very important

296 English Cor -X


tools that every journalist should carry in his 7. Part I of ‘The Interview’ is an excerpt from the
toolkit. It opens all doors and heart of people. Penguin Book of Interviews. Do you think that
Thank you the extract to present to balanced perspective

6. Mukund Padmanabhan was gifted the about interviews?
‘Penguin Book of Interviews-An Anthology Substantiate your answer with relavant textual

from 1859 to the Present Day’ edited by details. If this were the entire introduction,
Christopher Silvester, after interviewing Eco. what would your expectation from the book
be?
He shared his thoughts on his personal blog
Ans. No, to the contrary I feel that the excerpt

exploring his own concerns about interviewing
a distinguished writer Eco, followed by an actually shows the true picture of interviews
evaluation of the interview in light of his and the manner in which they are conducted.
reading. As Mukund Padmanabhan write a Infact these days the interviewer is only
blog post. looking for a scoop-something sensational
about the interviewee which will help his
Ans. Reading Christopher Silvester’s book about
magazine or newspaper to sell like, hot cakes.
interviews (The Penguin Book of Interviews–
Most of the time interviewers are intrusive
An Anthology from 1859 to the Present Day) braised and openly hostile while interviewing
was like reaffirming my ‘belief about the way celebrities. They are not interested in their
celebrities especially authors view interviews. success stories or their achievements. All
Getting Umberto Eco to speak on his writing they want is some dirty dark secret which
and his role as an academician and author can ruin their achievement and portray them
was quite challenging initially. However I in poor light to the readers. This is an era
made sure to keep the questions away from of sensational news and journalism. Pulling
his personal life and only focussed on his role people down, criticizing them, quoting them
as a writer. Infact I feel I have been very lucky out of context gives them immense pleasure
with the wealth of information that I was able because normal interviews are too dull and
to get about Eco’s style of writing during the boring for their taste.
interview. He was quite open with his views, From the given introduction book to showcase
articulate and not shy of voicing his opinion. I

views of many other famous people who had
am grateful that the interview turned out to be mixed opinion about the interviews that they
so informative and interesting an I think Eco’s had to face as a by-product of their fame and
friendly and warm behaviour was a testament success. It would be interesting to read bout
to my ability to question him without being these opinions and reasons for either liking or
intrusive and nosy. disliking interviews in general.

h nt rvi 297
T
e
I
e
ew