The Interview

THE INTERVIEW-( by Christopher Silvester) Notes by Baljit Singh

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TEXTUAL AND OTHER EXAMINATION STYLE QUESTIONS WITH MODEL ANSWERS

Q1 Write in brief the various views expressed by celebrities about the interview in journalism.

Ans. The interview is an effective mode of communication in journalism. But opinions of the interview- of its functions, methods and merits vary considerably. Some claim it as a source of truth and in its practice, an art. Others despise the interview as an ‘unwarranted intrusion into their lives’. They feel it diminishes them. Silvester lists out well – known writers who are against interview. Lewis Carroll had a horror of the interviewer. Rudyard Kipling regarded interviewing as immoral. H.G. Wells called interview as an ordeal though he had interviewed many personalities. Saul Bellow called interviews thumb imprints on his windpipe. It is surprising to notice that as an interviewer, each one is comfortable, whereas, as an interviewee, they feel it much disturbing and diminishing. Yet in the words of the writer, ‘it is a serviceable medium of communication’.

Q2. What light does Eco throw on his famous novel The Name of the Rose?

Ans.The Name of the Rose is a famous novel written by Umberto Eco. It is a detective novel but it deals with metaphysics, theology and medieval history. It is a deep and difficult novel still between 10 million to 15 million copies of this novel were sold. Its success was a mystery for the writer. It broke the illusion that people liked trash.

Q3.Explain what Eco says about his activity of novel writing.

Ans. Umberto says that he started writing novels by accident. One day he had nothing to do so he started writing novels. It satisfied his taste for narration. His first novel, The Name of the Rose, was a huge success. Though it deals with difficult and serious subjects of metaphysics, theology and medieval history, its 10-15 million copies were sold. Its success was a mystery for the writer. It broke the illusion that people liked trash.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1 What are some of the positive views on interviews?

Ans The interview is an effective mode of communication in journalism. It is a source of truth. In practice, it is an art. It leaves in our mind the most vivid impression of our contemporaries.

Q2. Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed? (अधिकतर सेलेब्रिटी लेखक interview देने से नफरत क्यों करते थे?
Ans  Celebrity writers did not have a good view about being interviewed. They usually despise d (नफ़रत करना) the interview . They consider it as an ‘unwarranted (बेवजह) intrusion (घुसपैठ) into their lives’. They felt थर it diminishes ( छवि धूमिल करना) them. Silvester lists out well – known writers who are against interview. Lewis Carroll had a horror (दहशत) of the interviewer. Rudyard Kipling regarded interviewing as immoral(अनैतिक) H.G. Wells called it as an ordeal, (कठिन कार्य) though he had interviewed many personalities. Saul Bellow called interviews thumb imprints on his windpipe.(श्वास नली).

Q3. Despite its drawbacks, what place does the interview have in journalism?

अपनी कमियों के बावजूद साक्षात्कार का पत्रकारिता जगत में क्या स्थान है?
Ans. Over last 130 years, the interview has become the most effective mode of communication in journalism. It leaves in our minds the most vivid impression of the person being interviewed. Everything reaches us raw about the person being interviewed.

Q4. Who was Umberto Eco? What does he say about his novel writing?
Ans. He was a university professor. He started writing novels by accident. One day he had nothing to do so he started writing novels. It satisfied his taste for narration. His first novel, The Name of the Rose, was a huge success. Though it deals with difficult and serious subjects of metaphysics, theology and medieval history, its 10-15 million copies were sold. Its success was a mystery for the writer. It broke the illusion that people liked trash.

Q5. How does Eco find the time to write so much?
Ans. Eco says that everyone has empty spaces in his life. He calls these empty spaces as interstices. He says that he writes in these empty spaces. He says, 'I am a university professor who writes novels on Sundays'

Q6.What was unique and distinctive about Eco's academic style?
Ans. Eco's writing style was playful and personal. Even his essays had a narrative aspect which made them interesting.

Q7.What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, 'The Name of the Rose'?
Ans. The Name of the Rose is a famous novel written by Umberto Eco. It is a detective novel but it deals with metaphysics, theology and medieval history. Its huge success was a mystery for the writer. The reason for its success was perhaps its narrative aspect and theme of medieval history.

Q8. What did the publisher think of 'The Name of the Rose'?
Ans.The publisher was an American lady. She said that she loved the novel but she did not hope to sell more than 3000 copies of this novel.