Class 12 Chapter 7(Flamingo)

Chapter 7 

The Interview 

Author: Christopher Silvester

✍️ Introduction About the Author:

Christopher Silvester is a British author, journalist, and editor. He studied history at Cambridge and worked for various magazines and newspapers. This chapter is an excerpt from his introduction to the Penguin Book of Interviews. He discusses the origin, purpose, and cultural impact of interviews while including views from various personalities.

📖Chapter Summary:

The chapter “The Interview” is divided into two parts:

🔹 Part I – A General Introduction to Interviews:

This section traces the history and importance of interviews over 130 years. It discusses how interviews have become a powerful tool for gathering information and forming opinions. Some people see interviews as a form of intrusion into private lives, while others believe interviews can reveal a person’s true character.

Different well-known writers and thinkers had different opinions:

• Rudyard Kipling called interviews “immoral” and refused to be interviewed.

• H.G. Wells disliked interviews but once interviewed Stalin.

• V.S. Naipaul and Saul Bellow felt interviews were unnecessary and distracting.

• Yet, for many, interviews are a vital part of journalism and biography.

🔹 Part II – An Excerpt from an Interview with Umberto Eco:

The second part is a real interview between Umberto Eco (an Italian writer, philosopher, and professor) and Mukund Padmanabhan, a journalist from The Hindu.

In the interview, Eco explains how he manages to write novels despite being a busy academic. He says he uses "interstices" — little gaps of free time — to write. He views himself primarily as a scholar but became famous for his novel The Name of the Rose.

Eco also talks about his writing style, saying his work contains "a semiotic approach," meaning it explores how symbols and signs work. His books are both serious and entertaining. He believes that even his academic essays contain hidden stories and a bit of fun.

🙇Key Themes:

a) Nature of Interviews:
Interviews are both a source of truth and a method of intrusion. They can be respectful or invasive depending on the purpose.

b) Public Image vs Private Identity:
Many artists fear that interviews misrepresent their true selves or make them seem too ordinary.

c) Creativity and Time Management:
Umberto Eco teaches us that dedication and efficient use of time can lead to creative success.

d) Power of Media:
The chapter shows how interviews shape public opinion and influence our understanding of famous personalities.

🔖Important Personalities Mentioned:

• Rudyard Kipling – called interviews immoral

• H.G. Wells – had mixed views but interviewed Stalin

• Saul Bellow – disliked interviews

• V.S. Naipaul – thought interviews were unnecessary

• Umberto Eco – believes in using time wisely and combining seriousness with playfulness in writing.

💭Important Quotations:

• “Almost everything of moment reaches us through one man asking questions of another.”

→ Emphasizes the importance of interviews in journalism.

• “I am a professor who writes novels on Sundays.” – Umberto Eco

→ Reflects Eco’s humility and smart time use.

• “I have some philosophical interests and always try to get them across in a narrative fashion.” – Umberto Eco

→ Shows how Eco blends philosophy and storytelling.

⭐Message of the Chapter:

This chapter highlights how interviews have become a significant tool in modern communication. While some people see them as an invasion of privacy, others accept them as a necessary part of public life. The interview with Umberto Eco inspires readers to use their time creatively and balance work with passion.