Question 1

Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give reasons for your opinion.
2. How does Eco find the time to write so much?
3. What was distinctive about Eco's academic writing style?
4. Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?
5. What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, The Name of the Rose?

Accepted Answer

1. Umberto Eco appears to like being interviewed as he engages thoughtfully and humorously with the questions, sharing insights about his work and life.
2. Eco finds time to write by efficiently using small moments, such as writing articles while waiting for elevators, showing his disciplined approach.
3. His academic writing style is distinctive because it is serious, complex, and deals with subjects like semiotics, metaphysics, theology, and medieval history.
4. Eco considered himself primarily an academic scholar who also wrote novels to reach a larger audience.
5. The huge success of The Name of the Rose is partly a mystery; it combined detective fiction with serious themes and coincided with a time when readers were ready for such a book, despite initial low expectations. — The answers are derived from Eco's own statements in the interview where he discusses his identity, writing habits, style, and the unexpected success of his novel. The reasoning is based on his direct quotes and the context provided.

Question 2

Talk about any interview that you have watched on television or read in a newspaper. How did it add to your understanding of the celebrity, the interviewer and the field of the celebrity?

Accepted Answer

This is a personal response question. Students should describe an interview they have seen or read, explaining how it helped them understand the celebrity's personality, the interviewer's style, and insights into the celebrity's professional field. The answer should reflect thoughtful observation and analysis. — The question encourages students to reflect on the interview genre and its impact on understanding people and professions, fostering critical thinking and communication skills.

Question 3

The medium you like best for an interview, print, radio, or television.

Accepted Answer

This is a subjective question. Students should state their preferred medium for interviews (print, radio, or television) and justify their choice based on factors like accessibility, depth of content, visual impact, or convenience. — The question aims to develop students' ability to express preferences and reasons, enhancing their evaluative and communication skills.

Question 4

Every famous person has a right to his or her privacy. Interviewers sometimes embarrass celebrities with very personal questions.

Accepted Answer

Students should discuss the ethical considerations in interviews, balancing the public's interest with the celebrity's right to privacy. They may argue that while some personal questions are necessary, interviewers should avoid intrusive or embarrassing queries that disrespect privacy. — This question encourages critical thinking about journalistic ethics and respect for individuals, fostering awareness of responsible communication.

Question 5

If the interviewer Mukund Padmanabhan had not got the space in the newspaper to reproduce the interview verbatim, he may have been asked to produce a short report of the interview with the salient points.

Write this report for him.

Accepted Answer

A model report would include:
- Introduction mentioning the interviewee Umberto Eco, a novelist and academic.
- Discussion of Eco's dual identity as a scholar and novelist.
- Insights into his writing habits and style.
- The unexpected success of his novel The Name of the Rose.
- Eco's views on readers' preferences and the mystery of the novel's popularity.
- Conclusion summarizing the key points and Eco's reflections.

The report should be concise, coherent, and cover the main ideas presented in the interview. — The answer demonstrates how to condense an interview into a report, focusing on salient points and maintaining clarity and coherence.

Question 6

Interview a person whom you admire either in school or your neighbourhood and record it in writing.

Accepted Answer

Students should conduct an actual interview with a person they admire, prepare questions, record the answers, and write the interview in a coherent format. The response will vary depending on the person interviewed and the questions asked. — This activity develops interviewing skills, note-taking, and writing abilities, encouraging practical application of the interview genre.

Question 7

Who is Christopher Silvester, the editor of The Penguin Book of Interviews?

Accepted Answer

Christopher Silvester is a journalist and editor born in 1959 who studied history at Peterhouse, Cambridge. He worked as a reporter for Private Eye for ten years and has written features for Vanity Fair. — Christopher Silvester is introduced as the editor of The Penguin Book of Interviews. His background includes studying history at Peterhouse, Cambridge, and extensive journalism experience, including ten years at Private Eye and contributions to Vanity Fair. This establishes his authority on the interview genre.

Question 8

Since when has the interview become a commonplace of journalism, according to the chapter?

Accepted Answer

Since a little over 130 years ago — The chapter states that the interview has been a commonplace of journalism since its invention a little over 130 years ago, marking its historical origin and development in journalism.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the range of opinions about interviews mentioned in the chapter?

Accepted Answer

Interviews are viewed either as a source of truth or as an intrusion by celebrities. — The chapter explains that opinions vary widely: some see interviews as a high art form and a source of truth, while many celebrities view them as intrusive or diminishing.

Question 10

Which famous writer is noted for having a 'just horror of the interviewer' and never consenting to be interviewed?

Accepted Answer

Lewis Carroll — Lewis Carroll, the creator of Alice in Wonderland, is mentioned as having a just horror of the interviewer and never consenting to interviews due to fear of being lionized.

Question 11

What was Rudyard Kipling's view on interviews as recorded by his wife Caroline?

Accepted Answer

Rudyard Kipling considered interviews immoral and a crime equivalent to an assault on his person. He refused to be interviewed and described it as cowardly and vile. — Caroline Kipling's diary entry records Rudyard Kipling's strong condemnation of interviews, calling them immoral and equating them to personal assault, reflecting his disdain for the practice.

Question 12

Who among the following interviewed Joseph Stalin forty years after referring to 'the interviewing ordeal'?

Accepted Answer

H. G. Wells — H. G. Wells referred to interviews as an ordeal but was a frequent interviewee and later interviewed Joseph Stalin, showing his complex relationship with the interview process.

Question 13

What does Saul Bellow mean by describing interviews as 'thumbprints on his windpipe'?

Accepted Answer

Saul Bellow means that interviews cause him discomfort and feel suffocating, like a physical pressure on his windpipe. — The metaphor 'thumbprints on his windpipe' conveys the idea that interviews are unpleasant and constricting experiences for Bellow, indicating his dislike of being interviewed.

Question 14

According to Denis Brian, why does the interviewer hold a position of unprecedented power and influence?

Accepted Answer

Because most vivid impressions of contemporaries come through interviews, and almost everything important reaches us through one person asking questions of another. — Denis Brian states that interviews are the main medium through which we learn about important personalities, giving interviewers significant power and influence over public perception.

Question 15

What is the meaning of the term 'interstices' as used by Umberto Eco in the interview?

Accepted Answer

empty spaces / gaps — Umberto Eco uses 'interstices' to describe empty spaces or gaps in time, such as waiting moments, which he uses productively for writing or thinking.

The Interview From the Introduction to The Penguin Book of Interviews edited by

The Interview From the Introduction to The Penguin Book of Interviews edited by — Study Notes

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