Class 12 : English (core) Compulsory – Lesson 7.The Interview
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🌟 Introduction to the Lesson
“The Interview” is an excerpt from The Penguin Book of Interviews, edited by Christopher Silvester. It examines the modern phenomenon of the interview — its origins, evolution, significance, and the mixed opinions it has attracted over time. The piece blends historical facts with literary references, offering a balanced exploration of interviews as a journalistic form.
📚 About the Author
Christopher Silvester, a British journalist and writer, contributed to several leading publications and is known for his work on compiling and editing significant interviews from across history. His style is informative, engaging, and rooted in research.
💡 Origins of the Interview
The interview, as a journalistic tool, developed in the 19th century alongside the rise of mass media. It became a way to gather firsthand accounts, document events, and bring the thoughts of public figures directly to readers. While initially rare, it gradually became a central feature of newspapers and magazines.
🖋 Mixed Reactions to Interviews
Silvester notes that interviews have always divided opinion. Some see them as a necessary way of gaining insight into personalities and events; others regard them as intrusive or even morally questionable. Many writers and public figures have expressed discomfort with the process.
🌍 Criticism from Literary Figures
Several prominent authors disliked being interviewed, feeling it invaded their privacy or misrepresented their views. Writers like V.S. Naipaul and Lewis Carroll avoided interviews entirely. Others, such as H.G. Wells, used interviews as an opportunity to promote their work and ideas. This contrast highlights the personal nature of the relationship between the interviewer and the subject.
🎯 The Interview as an Art Form
An effective interview requires skill — framing questions well, listening attentively, and balancing respect with curiosity. A good interviewer elicits thoughtful, revealing answers without crossing the line into hostility or gossip. Silvester points out that the best interviews can illuminate a person’s character better than other forms of writing.
🗞 Public Fascination with Interviews
By the late 20th century, the interview had become one of the most popular forms of journalism. It catered to the public’s desire for personal details about celebrities, leaders, and thinkers, making interviews a key element in shaping public opinion.
🕊 Underlying Themes
The essay reflects on deeper questions: Is the interview a respectful exchange of ideas, or a calculated performance for publicity? Is it about truth, or about the creation of an image? Silvester leaves room for both interpretations, recognizing that interviews can be both revealing and manipulative.
💠 Summary
“The Interview” by Christopher Silvester traces the history and role of the interview in modern journalism, noting its rise in the 19th century and its central place in media today. It explores differing opinions — some praising the interview for offering direct insight into personalities, others condemning it as intrusive. Literary figures’ reactions range from avoidance to enthusiastic participation. Silvester presents the interview as both an art form and a tool of publicity, concluding that its significance lies in its ability to influence public perception while reflecting the values of the media age.
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PASSAGE
“Some might see the interview as an intrusion into people’s lives, while others consider it a valuable means of communication. Over the years, the interview has become a common feature of journalism, shaping public opinion and providing insight into the minds of public figures. However, many literary greats have expressed discomfort with the process. Some have avoided it entirely, believing it distorts their words and misrepresents their thoughts, while others have embraced it as an opportunity to share their ideas with a wider audience.”
💠 (Short Answer – 30 words)
What contrasting views about interviews are presented in the passage?
Answer: Some view interviews as intrusive and distorting, while others see them as a valuable communication tool to share ideas and shape public opinion.
💠 (Multiple Choice)
Which of the following best captures the purpose of an interview according to supporters?
A. To invade privacy
B. To misrepresent thoughts
C. To share ideas and influence public opinion
D. To entertain without factual basis
Answer: C. To share ideas and influence public opinion
💠 (Fill in the blank)
Interviews have become a common feature of __, shaping public opinion and offering insight into public figures.
Answer: journalism
💠 (Fill in the blank)
Some literary greats avoid interviews because they believe the process can __ their words and thoughts.
Answer: distort
💠 (Assertion and Reason)
Assertion (A): All literary figures welcome interviews.
Reason (R): They see interviews as opportunities for creative self-expression.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is false, but R is true.
D. Both A and R are false.
Answer: C. A is false, but R is true.
💠 (Short Answer – 30 words)
How can interviews influence public perception according to the passage?
Answer: Interviews can shape public perception by revealing personal views of public figures, influencing opinions, and providing direct access to their ideas and character.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS
🔴 Q1. Who is the author of ‘The Interview’?
🔵 Answer: Christopher Silvester, a British journalist and editor, authored the extract ‘The Interview’ from The Penguin Book of Interviews.
🔴 Q2. In which century did the interview emerge as a popular journalistic tool?
🔵 Answer: The interview emerged as a popular journalistic tool in the 19th century.
🔴 Q3. What is the general purpose of an interview?
🔵 Answer: Its purpose is to collect firsthand accounts, share ideas, and provide the public with direct insight into the minds of notable figures.
🔴 Q4. Why do some people consider interviews intrusive?
🔵 Answer: They believe interviews invade personal privacy and may misrepresent a person’s words or intentions.
🔴 Q5. Name two literary figures who disliked giving interviews.
🔵 Answer: Lewis Carroll and V.S. Naipaul.
🔴 Q6. How do supporters of interviews view the process?
🔵 Answer: They see it as a valuable platform for communication, self-expression, and influencing public opinion.
🔴 Q7. Which poet and editor visited Gemini Studios in the lesson ‘Poets and Pancakes’ and also features in ‘The Interview’?
🔵 Answer: Stephen Spender.
🔴 Q8. What skills does Silvester suggest are needed for a good interview?
🔵 Answer: Framing effective questions, attentive listening, and balancing curiosity with respect.
🔴 Q9. How has the interview shaped modern journalism?
🔵 Answer: It has become a central feature, satisfying the public’s curiosity about personalities while influencing cultural and political discourse.
🔴 Q10. What is the main criticism of interviews according to some writers?
🔵 Answer: That they distort meaning and turn personal expression into a performance for publicity.
🔴 Q11. Describe the contrasting attitudes of writers toward interviews as discussed in the lesson.
🔵 Answer: Some avoided them altogether to protect privacy, while others embraced them as opportunities to promote work, share ideas, and connect with the public.
🔴 Q12. How does Silvester present the interview as both an art and a tool?
🔵 Answer: He sees it as an art when skillfully conducted to reveal character, and as a tool when used for promotion or shaping public opinion.
🔴 Q13. What is the central idea of ‘The Interview’?
🔵 Answer: The lesson examines the role of interviews in modern media, their power to influence, and the ongoing debate over whether they are insightful or intrusive.
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ONE PAGE REVISION SHEET
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