NCERT Solutions Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter -7 The Interview
The Interview
Page No: 69
Think As you Read
1. Whal are some of the posilive views on interviews?
Answer
Interview, in the 130 years of its existence, has become an inherent part of journalism. It is a useful
means of communication that is, at times, considered to be an art, serving as a source of truth. Denis
Brian has stated that in today's world we get to know our contemporaries through their interviews
2. Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?
Answer
Celebrity writers believe that interviews unduly interfere in their private lives. They regard themselves
victims of interviews. They claim that the interview way diminishes' them, just like some
ancient cultures believed that a portrait of a person takes away his soul. Certain celebrities like V.S
Naipaul have claimed that interviews leave them wounded, while others like Rudyard Kipling have
referred to it as a crime and an immoral act.
3. What is the belief in some primitive cultures about being photographed?
Answer
Some primitive cultures believed that photographing a person is no less than stealing his/her soul out
of the body and rendering him incomplete and slighted.
4. What do you understand by the expression "thumbprints on his windpipe"?
Answer
The expression means having been strangulated. The interview is an assault on a person as it makes
him/her so tense that he/she feels as good as being choked.
5. Who, in today's world, is our chief source of information about personalities?
Answer
In modern times, the chief source of information on personalities is the interviewer who, through his
power and influence, gathers information and provides us with the best possible information on the
interviewees. He extracts everything significant through his questions for us.
Page No: 73
Understanding the Text
1. Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give reasons for your opinion.
Answer
Yes, Umberto Eco, in all passibilities, likes being interviewed. He felt just at ease with the interviewer
and answered all the questions fully and patiently without showing any hurry He stated his
achievement in a very modest manner and explained his philosophical views and interest clearly. He
let the interviewer enter the secret about his craft with a loud laugh. Also, he elaborated his approach
which was unique. He was mannerly, warm and praperly responsive as well.
2. Haw docs Eco find the time to write so much?
Answer
There are two factors that explain how Eco was able to write so much. In his own words, the life of
every person has exply spaces- periods with no important jobs. He says that he did most of his writing
during these free intervals. Second, he explains that people wondered that he (Eco) had written so
much on various subjects. But the fact is that he was writing on the same lines and same interests-
peace, non-violence, etc. All his works were linked with the thread of common interests. It saves his
time and he could write a lot in a short period of time. That was the secret behind Eco's prolific pen.
3. What was distinctive about Eco's academic writing style?
Answer
Umberto Eco's academic writing style is quite clistinctive. It has a certain playful and personal quality
about it. It is a marked departure from a regular academic style, which is usually depersonalised and
often dry and boring.
4. Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?
Answer
Umberto Eco considered himself an academic scholar first and a novelist later. He makes his
preference clear by saying, "I consider myself a university professar who writes novels on Sundays".
On week days he attends academic conferences and does other scholarly, non-fictional work.
5. What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, The Name of the Rose?
Answer
'The Name of the Rose' is different sort of novel It is quite serious novel It is a detective story at ane
level But it also probes into metaphysics theology and medieval history. The reasons for the success
of the book, however, remain a mystery.
Talking about the Text
Discuss in pairs or small groups.
2. The medium you like best for an interview, print, radio or television.
Answer
The medium I like best for an interview is the television It has both audio and visual effect It presents
the interviewer and interviewee before the audience in their true colours. Usually celebrities accuse the
reporters of misquoting them or misreporting them in the print media or the radio. This is not possible
when they are face-to-face on the television. Their lip movement and body movement while replying to
probing questions are there for all to see. The recording of various expressions coming on the face of
the intervicwcc and his/her gestures and words are the additional advantages that television holds
over the print media or the radio. The print media has dull, dry words alongside a picture whereas the
radio tries to create the atmosphere by skilful variation of the sound. Both expect a lot of attention from
the reader/audience.
3. Every famous person has a right to his or her privacy. Interviewers sometimes embarrass
celebrities with very personal questions
Answer
Interviewers want to present exculsive and intimate details about the famous person they are
interviewing. Some interviewrs focus on the public life and achievements of the individual only. They
try to be objective in their approach as well as assesment. However, there are others who want to
make their interviews more spicy and usually cross the thin limit of privacy of the individual. In their
zeal to present good copy they embrass the famous person with the personal questions. Sometimes
impact of such questions on famous person reveals his/her aversion as well as irritation at the silliness
of the person. If they shout, they are accused of being rude and proud and if they keep mum thy are
labelled as arrogant. In my opinion privacy of an individual must be respected.
