Chapter 7 The Interview

 

Word Meanings – “The Interview”

Word	Single-Word Meaning
Interview	Questioning
Intrusion	Interference
Immoral	Wrong
Vain	Proud
Empirical	Practical
Primitive	Ancient
Consequence	Result
Impertinent	Rude
Communication	Message
Perception	Understanding
Frustration	Disappointment
Citation	Quotation
Penetration	Deep understanding
Distortion	Twisting
Discover	Find
Deliberate	Planned
Glimpse	View
Modesty	Humbleness
Vanity	Pride
Reveal	Show
Denounce	Condemn
Puncture	Damage
Reproach	Blame
Citation	Reference
Intensity	Force
Coincidence	Chance
Personality	Character
Celebrity	Famous person
Frivolous	Silly
Admiration	Respect
Immensely	Greatly
Persuasive	Convincing
Humility	Simplicity
Revolution	Change
Sophisticated	Modern
Anonymous	Nameless
Irritated	Annoyed
Exaggerate	Overstate
Absurd	Foolish
Unending	Endless
Belief	Faith
Attitude	Opinion
Disturb	Bother
Mystery	Secret

Chapter 7 – The Interview

By Christopher Silvester

Understanding the Text

Q1. What are some of the positive views on interviews?
Some people believe that interviews are a very useful way to learn about others. They think interviews give a clear picture of a person’s real thoughts, ideas, and life. Many consider the interview to be a good and honest form of communication in journalism.

Q2. Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?
Most famous writers and celebrities dislike interviews because they feel it disturbs their privacy. They think interviews make them feel uncomfortable and expose too much about their personal life. They also feel that their words can be misunderstood or twisted.

Q3. What is the belief in some primitive cultures about being photographed?
In some primitive cultures, people believe that being photographed takes away or damages part of their soul. Similarly, some people feel that interviews take away their personality or inner self.

Q4. What do you understand by the expression “thumbprints on his windpipe”?
This expression means that the person feels great pressure or discomfort. When someone feels like “thumbprints are on their windpipe,” it means they cannot speak freely or feel choked — just like how some people feel during interviews.

Q5. Who, in today’s world, is our chief source of information about personalities?
In today’s world, the interviewer or journalist is the main source of information about famous people. Through interviews published in newspapers, magazines, or shown on TV, we come to know about their lives and ideas.

Talking About the Text (Umberto Eco Interview Part)

Q1. What are some distinctive features of Umberto Eco’s writing style?
Umberto Eco’s writing is thoughtful and full of ideas. He mixes facts, history, and imagination. His style is simple but deep. He also uses humour and makes his readers think seriously about life and people.

Q2. Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first?
No, Umberto Eco did not think of himself mainly as a novelist. He said he was a professor and academic scholar first, and writing novels was only a small part of his life. He considered his novels just another way of expressing his ideas.

Q3. What is the reason for the huge success of The Name of the Rose?
Umberto Eco said the success of his novel The Name of the Rose was a mystery and an accident. He did not write it to become famous. People liked it because it had many interesting things together — history, mystery, and philosophy.

Q4. What is Eco’s attitude to himself and his work?
Umberto Eco is a very humble, honest, and disciplined person. He doesn’t show off his talent. He says he just uses his time wisely and works hard. He takes his work seriously but never brags about his success.