This chapter provides students with revision notes and a summary of the chapter The Interview. The revision notes cover key points and examples from the chapter, as well as tips on how to prepare for and perform well in interviews.
The Interview is an essay by Christopher Silvester that explores the nature of interviews and how they are used in society. Silvester argues that interviews can be a valuable tool for understanding people and their experiences, but that interviewees should also be aware of their rights.
The Interview Class 12 Notes: Our subject experts have prepared these concise and comprehensive revision notes for Chapter 12 of the CBSE Class 12 Flamingo Prose textbook, The Interview. These notes are based on the latest CBSE syllabus for 2024. Students appearing for the CBSE Board Exams in 2024 should review these notes carefully. You can download a free PDF copy of this chapter for future reference directly from Official website of NCERT.
The Interview: A Chapter on Journalism and the Art of Interviewing
The Interview is a unique chapter in the Flamingo textbook that explores the world of journalism and the art of interviewing. It presents the different perspectives that people, including famous personalities, have on interviews. The chapter is short, concise, and easy to understand. To ensure that you can answer all of the questions on this chapter in the exam, you should read the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter The Interview, along with these revision notes.
Author Background
Christopher Silvester is the writer behind Chapter 7, titled “The Interview,” in the CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo Prose. He pursued his studies in history at Peterhouse Cambridge before embarking on a career as a journalist for Private Eye. He also contributed features to Vanity Fair, garnering recognition during his decade-long commitment to journalism.
Story Overview/Summary
This passage originates from Christopher Silvester’s Introduction to the Penguin Book of Interviews. It delves into the multifaceted nature of interviews and the varying perspectives people hold regarding them. Celebrities often perceive interviews as intrusive examinations of their personal lives, while audiences and interviewers regard them as a means to uncover the truth.
This chapter explores the diverse viewpoints of renowned figures on the interview process. In the latter part of the chapter, readers will find a brief excerpt from an interview between Umberto Eco, a novelist and professor at the University of Bologna in Italy, and Mukund Padmanabhan, a reporter from The Hindu.
Theme of “The Interview”
“The Interview” revolves around the realm of journalism and the art of conducting interviews. It delves into the diverse opinions people hold about interviews, explores both the positive and negative aspects of this practice, and examines what interviews signify to individuals worldwide. Furthermore, the chapter delves into the various experiences people have had throughout their lives in different interview scenarios. It serves as a comprehensive exploration of the interview process and its significance.
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Character Profiles:
Umberto Eco:
Umberto Eco is a deeply committed individual who seeks to bring about subtle changes in the world through his scholarly works and novels. He values punctuality and is exceptionally dedicated to his craft. During the interview, Eco introduced the concept of “interstices,” explaining how the empty spaces in our daily routines can be productively utilized. He shared a personal example, recounting how he writes articles during the time he waits for an elevator. This example underscores his punctuality and unwavering dedication. Eco is characterized by humility and a down-to-earth nature; he aspires to be recognized primarily as an academic or scholar who happens to write novels on Sundays, rather than merely as a novelist. Throughout the interview, he displayed politeness, responding to questions with honesty and patience. His unique perspective on journalism and interviews sets him apart from many other celebrities.
Mukund Padmanabhan:
Mukund Padmanabhan demonstrated a strong grasp of his profession and a sincere commitment to journalism. His extensive research, or what is colloquially referred to as “homework,” was evident in his interview preparation. Padmanabhan’s interviewing style can be described as exemplary journalism, as he adeptly avoided making the interviewee uncomfortable and focused solely on posing relevant, intellectual, and insightful questions. His aim was to draw out the best of Umberto’s knowledge and opinions, highlighting his dedication to quality journalism.
Summary (Key Points):
- Interviews have been an integral part of journalism for over 130 years.
- Interviews are a ubiquitous phenomenon, with nearly everyone in the world having listened to or watched at least one interview in their lifetime. Despite their common occurrence, people hold diverse opinions about interviews.
- Some view interviews as the pinnacle of truth-seeking and an art form, while interviewees, particularly celebrities, may perceive interviews as invasive intrusions into their lives or as diminishing their stature.
- Renowned individuals like S. Naipaul have expressed how interviews can wound and erode a part of a person’s identity.
- Lewis Carroll, the creator of Alice in Wonderland, strongly disliked interviews and never consented to be interviewed.
- Rudyard Kipling considered interviews immoral, likening them to a crime deserving of punishment.
- Saul Bellow likened interviews to thumbprints on his windpipe, suggesting their suffocating nature.
- Denis Brian emphasized the influential role of interviewers in shaping our impressions of contemporaries, highlighting the power and influence held by those who conduct interviews.