The Interview

Chapter Summary

Image: Writer Umberto Eco

“The Interview” is an excerpt taken from the Penguin Book of Interviews, written by Christopher Silvester. In the current story, the author has outlined the process of interview as a new way of asking questions and answers to outline various aspects of life. The requirements bring in the reference of the field of journalism to address the issues of the questionnaire and bring in the importance of new techniques.

Furthermore, the author states that the interview has become a crucial field in everyone’s course of life, irrespective of class or strata of society belong in. Through this chapter, one can be aware of various opinions of different celebrities concerning an interview. Therefore, it teaches about the process and methods of an interview. In addition, the author has incorporated an excerpt from a course interview with Umberto Eco.

Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give reasons.

Yes, Umberto Eco is very fond of being interviewed in a formal manner. He also felt at ease with the interviewer and answered all the questions thoroughly. He was being quite patient and he showed no hurry while answering. He further stated his achievement in a very modest way and he explained his philosophical thought process and showed his interest clearly. He also told the interview about his secret without any hesitation and he laughed aloud about it.

In addition, he gave his speech vividly and his approach was unique. He maintained his mannerisms and was warm and responsive throughout the interview.

How Does Eco Find the Time to Write?

Two particular instances in the chapter explain how Umberto Eco was able to write so much. According to Eco, he did most of his writing during his free times, especially when he has the leisure to think rationally. Secondly, he explained that people often wonder that he had written so many things on so many different subjects.

However, his writing styles most emphasized on same lines and the same interests, peace and nonviolence. All of his writings were interconnected within the bounds of common interest. It saved his time and hence he was able to write so much within such a short period. This was the secret of the penning skill of Umberto Eco.

About Eco’s Academic Writing Style

The writing style of Umberto Eco is essentially distinctive. This aspect was reflected in his nonfictional as well as his scholarly works, which also had a playful tone and personal quality associated with them. It was quite different from his academic writing style that was void of any kind of sentiment and was usually quite dry and boring.

Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?

Umberto Eco was quite reflective about his works and he was very practical about the views of his work. He made an assessment based on his writing pattern and he knew about their impact. Umberto Eco considered himself an academic first and a novelist second.

He further emphasized that considered he within the boundary of a specific role. He considers himself a university professor who used to write novels on Sundays. On weekdays, he attended academic conferences and did not meet writers in the Pen club.

Reason for the Success of the Novel “The Name of the Rose”

“The Name of the Rose” is a novel of very different essence. This is a detective story at a particular level. Various sections of this book as a classic feel of a noir theme and mystery surrounding them. This book does not thoroughly follow a theme of one particular stream. Eco also delved into the realm of metaphysics theology and included various aspects of medieval history. However, the success of the book remains a mystery.

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?

One can consider the interviews and assess the expression and mood of the celebrities during the interview. The course of the interview is highly reflective of one's personality and viewpoint towards various situations. One can take into consideration the first interview of Neeraj Chopra after winning the gold medal during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He made the entire country proud and he was quite happy about it. He is quite a simple man who is focused on his field of sports and is dedicated to continually enhancing his skills and giving better performance in near future.

In the video clip, it can be seen that the interviewer is asking questions based on the field of sports, his preparations, and his future aspirations. The interviewer was asking questions strictly based on his field of sports, that is javelin throw competition.

What is the medium you like best for an interview - print, radio, or television?

Out of all these mediums in consideration, Television is preferred the most out of all these three mediums. Television transmits information in both audio and video format. It shows visually enticing functions and processes. The visual effects are soothing to the audience. The interviews shown on TV are more attractive and engaging to people.

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

It is true for every individual on earth. The right to privacy of every individual should be respected, this is essentially crucial for the celebrities whose personal and professional lives soften are intermingled for the public view and this should not be the case. Often in the course of an interview, questions are probed directed to their personal lives and their relation with other people that affects their personal lives It is not at all justified, the questions often leave the celebrities embarrassed and it affects their reputation as well.

FAQs

Q1. What does this chapter reflect about the personality of Umberto Eco?

Ans. It can be asses that Umberto Eco is an easy-going person. He is not a person who is very strict about his writing schedule, he enjoys writing and he writes in his spare time.

Q2. How should the interview be conducted?

Ans. The interviews should follow the field of work and bring out reflection of the interview and their personality. The interview should not bring in questions about a personal life that breaches an individual’s privacy.

Q3. What kind of novel is “The Name of the Rose”?

Ans. The Name of the Rose is a novel that includes the essence of mystery, theological metaphysics, and medieval history. It does not strictly adhere to a particular genre and it is quite informative.