Chapter 7 , Christopher Silvester’s “Interview”(Part 1) MCQs, Summary, Theme, Character Sketches, and Metaphorical Expressions, Question Answers and Extra Questions.

Chapter 7- Interview (Part 1) by Christopher Silvester:

Also Read: Part II “An Interview with Umberto Eco“ ,Class 12 “Going Places” by A.R. Barton

Glossary (PART 1- Interview): 

• Journalism: The activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, or news websites or preparing news to be broadcast.

• Celebrities: Famous or well-known individuals often in the public eye due to their achievements, talents, or media presence.

• Extravagant: Excessive or exaggerated; going beyond reasonable or necessary.

• Primitive cultures: Societies or communities characterised by simplicity, traditional customs, and often living close to nature.

• Photographic portrait: A picture taken by a camera, capturing the likeness of a person.

• V. S. Naipaul: Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul was a Trinidadian-British writer of works including fiction and non-fiction. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001.

• Lewis Carroll: The pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, an English writer known for his children’s literature, including “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and its sequel “Through the Looking-Glass.”

• Rudyard Kipling: An English writer best known for his works of fiction, including “The Jungle Book” and “Kim.” He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907.

• H. G. Wells: Herbert George Wells was an English writer best known for his science fiction novels, including “The Time Machine,” “The Invisible Man,” and “The War of the Worlds.”

• Joseph Stalin: The leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until he died in 1953.

• Saul Bellow: A Canadian-American writer known for his novels, including “The Adventures of Augie March” and “Herzog.” He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1976.

• Denis Brian: Likely a reference to Denis Brian, an author and journalist known for his biographies and works on various topics. 

Summary “Interview” Christopher Silvester:

The excerpt from the introduction to the Penguin Book of Interviews by Christopher Silvester explores the varied perspectives on interviews, which have become commonplace in journalism over the past 130 years. The author notes that opinions about interviews differ widely, with some praising them as a source of truth and an art form. In contrast, others, particularly celebrities, may view them as intrusive and soul-stealing. 

The excerpt mentions the aversion of notable figures like Lewis Carroll and Rudyard Kipling to interviews, citing Kipling’s strong condemnation of the practice as immoral and criminal. Despite the drawbacks, the excerpt acknowledges the interview as a valuable communication medium, highlighting the power and influence wielded by interviewers in shaping public perceptions. 

The chapter “Interview” provides brief information about V.S. Naipaul, Rudyard Kipling, H.G. Wells, Joseph Stalin, and Saul Bellow, mentioning their attitudes towards interviews or experiences with them.

Highlighted Points: 

The excerpt from the introduction to the Penguin Book of Interviews by Christopher Silvester discusses various opinions on interviewing in journalism. It highlights how interviews have become commonplace over the past 130 years and how they are perceived differently by different people.

• V.S. Naipaul: Acknowledged that some individuals may feel wounded or lose a part of themselves through interviews.

• Lewis Carroll: He had a strong aversion to interviews and actively avoided them, likely due to a fear of being lionised or having his privacy invaded.

• Rudyard Kipling: Kipling condemned interviews as immoral, equating them to a crime and an assault on his person. However, he had interviewed Mark Twain.

• H.G. Wells: Although he referred to interviews as an ordeal, he was a frequent interviewee and even interviewed Joseph Stalin later.

• Saul Bellow: Despite consenting to interviews at times, he likened the experience to having thumbprints on his windpipe, suggesting discomfort or feeling constrained by the process.

Despite the criticisms and discomfort associated with interviews, they are a powerful communication medium that provides insights into contemporary figures and issues. Denis Brian emphasises the significance of interviews in shaping perceptions and understanding of individuals and events in the modern world.

Theme (PART 1- Interview): 

The theme of Part I revolves around the complex nature of interviews and people’s varied perspectives regarding them. Through the voices of different authors and figures, the excerpt explores the multifaceted views on interviews, ranging from seeing them as a source of truth and an art form to viewing them as intrusive and potentially harmful.

Key themes in the excerpt include:

1. Diverse Perspectives: The excerpt presents a spectrum of opinions on interviews, reflecting people’s various attitudes toward this journalistic practice. Some view interviews as valuable and essential, while others perceive them as invasive and detrimental.

2. Ethical Considerations: There’s a discussion of the ethical dimensions of conducting interviews, including debates about privacy, consent, and the potential impact on interviewees. The excerpt highlights concerns about the moral implications of interviewing, with references to it being seen as immoral or even criminal.

3. Power Dynamics: There’s an exploration of the power dynamics inherent in the interview process. The interviewer is depicted as holding significant influence, shaping public perceptions through their questions and interactions with interviewees.

4. Personal Anecdotes: Including personal anecdotes and experiences from well-known figures adds depth to exploring the interview phenomenon. Through the perspectives of authors like Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling, and Saul Bellow, readers gain insights into the individual motivations and reactions surrounding interviews.

The theme highlights the complexity and ambiguity surrounding interviews as a journalistic practice, reflecting the tensions between journalistic inquiry, personal privacy, and ethical considerations.

Important Lines from PART I (Interview):

Explanations of the lines and phrases from the excerpt are enclosed in quotation marks: 

1. “feels that some people are wounded by interviews and lose a part of themselves”: This phrase suggests that the act of being interviewed can be emotionally damaging or personally intrusive for some individuals. It implies that interviews can harm the interviewees, causing them to feel exposed or vulnerable.

2. “a just horror of the interviewer”: This line describes Lewis Carroll’s strong aversion or intense fear of being interviewed. Carroll, known for his works like “Alice in Wonderland,” intensely disliked the interview process, possibly due to concerns about invasion of privacy or discomfort with public attention.

3. “It was his horror of being lionized which made him thus repel would-be acquaintances, interviewers, and the persistent petitioners for his autograph”: This statement explains the reason behind Lewis Carroll’s reluctance to engage with interviewers and other individuals seeking his attention. He feared being excessively praised or celebrated (“lionized“), leading him to avoid interacting actively with admirers and journalists.

4. “Why do I refuse to be interviewed? Because it is immoral! It is a crime, just as much of a crime as an offence against my person, as an assault, and just as much merits punishment. It is cowardly and vile. No respectable man would ask it, much less give it.”: Rudyard Kipling vehemently opposed being interviewed. He likened questioning to a moral transgression akin to assault. Kipling believed that interviews were morally wrong and reflected poorly on both the interviewer and interviewee. His words reflect the intense emotions and ethical considerations surrounding the practice of interviews during his time.

5. “the interviewing ordeal”: This phrase characterises the experience of being interviewed as an arduous or challenging process. H.G. Wells describes interviews as an “ordeal,” suggesting that it can be mentally or emotionally taxing for those who undergo them, possibly due to the pressure of public scrutiny or the demands of the interview itself.

6. “like thumbprints on his windpipe”: Saul Bellow’s comparison of interviews to “thumbprints on his windpipe” evokes a sense of suffocation or discomfort. It implies that interviews may feel constricting or burdensome, perhaps stifling his creative expression or sense of autonomy.

7. “the interviewer holds a position of unprecedented power and influence”: This statement highlights interviewers’ significant role in shaping public discourse and perceptions. It emphasizes the notion that interviews can wield considerable power in shaping public opinion and disseminating information, reflecting the influence of the media in contemporary society.

These lines and phrases provide insights into the varied attitudes and experiences surrounding interviews, highlighting the complexities and challenges inherent in the interview process.

Textbook Questions/Answers “Interview” PART 1:

Thinking As You Read: 

Q1: What are some of the positive views on interviews?

A1: Some positive views on interviews include:

1. Truth Sharing: Interviews offer a platform for individuals to share their perspectives and provide accurate information.
2. Artistic Expression: Interviews can be seen as creative expression, revealing depth and complexity.
3. Advocacy: Interviews provide opportunities to advocate for causes and promote positive social change.
4. Knowledge Exchange: Interviews facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas among diverse individuals.
5. Personal Connection: Interviews foster emotional connections and empathy by sharing stories and experiences.

These positive aspects highlight the value of interviews in communication, understanding, and social impact.

Q2: Why do most celebrity writers despite being interviewed? 

A2: Celebrity writers may despise being interviewed for several reasons. Firstly, interviews can be seen as intrusive, delving into personal aspects of their lives or creative processes they may prefer to keep private. Additionally, interviews can misrepresent or distort their words or ideas, especially if taken out of context or sensationalised by the media. 

Some celebrity writers may feel pressured to conform to certain expectations or narratives during interviews, limiting their freedom of expression or creativity. The intense scrutiny and potential loss of control over their public image or narrative can contribute to their aversion to being interviewed.

Q3: What is the belief in some primitive cultures about being photographed? 

A3: In some primitive cultures, there is a belief that being photographed can capture or steal a person’s soul. This belief reflects a cultural understanding of photography as a powerful and potentially invasive technology that can alter or manipulate one’s spiritual essence or identity. 

The notion that photography can possess a person’s soul highlights the deep-seated cultural significance attached to images and representations of individuals within these societies.

Q4: What do you understand by the expression “thumbprints on his windpipe”? 

A4: The expression “thumbprints on his windpipe” used by Saul Bellow suggests a feeling of suffocation or discomfort caused by interviews. It conveys the sense of pressure or constraint, as if being interviewed physically constricts his ability to breathe or express himself freely. 

This metaphor vividly captures the sense of unease or claustrophobia that interviews may evoke for some individuals, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of being subjected to intense scrutiny or interrogation.

Q5: Who, in today’s world, is our chief source of information about personalities?

A5: In today’s world, the media, particularly entertainment news outlets, social media platforms, and celebrity-focused websites, often serve as the chief sources of personality information. 

Through interviews, articles, social media posts, and other forms of content, the media provides insights into the lives, experiences, and perspectives of various public figures, including celebrities, authors, artists, and influencers. These platforms shape public perceptions and narratives surrounding personalities, influencing how individuals are perceived and understood by the broader public.

Extra Questions “Interview” (PART I): 

• Understanding Conversation and Interview Patterns:

Q1: How does the excerpt describe the evolution and prevalence of interviews in contemporary society?

A1: The excerpt provides a fascinating insight into the evolution and prevalence of interviews in contemporary society, tracing their origins to a little over 130 years ago. From their humble beginnings, interviews have burgeoned into a ubiquitous fixture of journalistic practice, permeating the fabric of modern media and communication. 

Almost universally accessible to the literate populace, interviews have transcended cultural and linguistic boundaries to become a ubiquitous source of information and entertainment. 

Moreover, the excerpt highlights the multifaceted nature of interviews, highlighting individuals’ diverse opinions and attitudes towards this pervasive journalistic medium.

Q2: What contrasting views about interviews are presented in the excerpt?

A2: The excerpt offers a rich tapestry of contrasting views regarding interviews, ranging from lofty praise to scathing criticism. On the one hand, some individuals praise the interview as a bastion of truth and an art form unto itself, attributing unparalleled significance and merit to journalism. 

On the other hand, celebrities and public figures lament the intrusive nature of interviews, viewing them as unwarranted incursions into their private lives and a source of personal diminishment. 

This contradiction of perspectives highlights the complex interplay between public exposure and personal agency inherent in the interview process, illuminating the nuanced dynamics that govern its practice and reception.

Q3: How did H. G. Wells describe the experience of being interviewed?

A3: H. G. Wells, the venerable English novelist and pioneer of science fiction, offered a candid assessment of the interview process, referring to it as an “ordeal” fraught with challenges and tribulations. 

Despite his ambivalence towards interviews, Wells frequently found himself on the receiving end of journalistic scrutiny, navigating the intricacies of public discourse with resilience and grit. His subsequent encounter with Joseph Stalin, a seminal figure in Russian history, further highlights the transformative power of interviews as a medium of communication and engagement.

• The Interview as a Communication Genre:

Q4: According to Denis Brian, what role do interviews play in contemporary communication?

A4: Denis Brian, in his astute observation, contends that interviews occupy a central role in contemporary communication, serving as conduits through which the most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are forged and disseminated. 

In an age defined by the relentless pursuit of information and insight, interviews emerge as indispensable vehicles for understanding individuals’ thoughts, perspectives, and motivations across diverse spheres of influence. 

Under their accessibility and immediacy, interviews wield unparalleled power and influence in shaping public discourse and collective understanding, thus endowing interviewers with unprecedented authority and responsibility.

Q5: How does the excerpt (Part I) reflect the dual nature of interviews as both a serviceable communication medium and a source of discomfort for interviewees?

A5: The excerpt offers a nuanced exploration of the dual nature of interviews, juxtaposing their inherent utility as a serviceable communication medium with the discomfort and apprehension experienced by interviewees. 

While interviews are indispensable tools for conveying information and fostering dialogue, they also evoke feelings of vulnerability and unease among those subjected to scrutiny. 

The excerpt’s portrayal of interviews as both a catalyst for communication and a source of personal discomfort highlights the complex interplay between public exposure and private identity, illuminating the intricate dynamics that govern the interview process.

Q6: Why did the literary figure avoid interviews for fear of being lionised?

A6: The literary figure who avoided interviews due to a fear of being lionised was Lewis Carroll, the creator of “Alice in Wonderland.” Carroll was known to have a horror of being interviewed and never consented to be interviewed. 

He repelled would-be acquaintances, interviewers, and those seeking his autograph due to his fear of being lionised or excessively praised and celebrated. Despite his literary fame, Carroll preferred to maintain his privacy and distance himself from the public spotlight.

MCQs Class 12- “Interview” (PART 1):

1. According to the excerpt, which author expressed a condemnatory attitude towards interviews?

A) Lewis Carroll

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) H. G. Wells

D) Saul Bellow

2. Who is described as having “a just horror of the interviewer”?

A) Lewis Carroll

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) H. G. Wells

D) Saul Bellow

3. Which author likened interviews to “thumbprints on his windpipe”?

A) Lewis Carroll

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) H. G. Wells

D) Saul Bellow

4. Who among the mentioned authors had a wife named Caroline?

A) Lewis Carroll

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) H. G. Wells

D) Saul Bellow

5. Which author was known for his works of science fiction?

A) Lewis Carroll

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) H. G. Wells

D) Saul Bellow

6. Who compared interviews to “an unwarranted intrusion into their lives”?

A) Lewis Carroll

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) H. G. Wells

D) Saul Bellow

7. Which author is noted for having interviewed Joseph Stalin?

A) H. G. Wells

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) Saul Bellow

D) Denis Brian

8. Who described interviews as “a supremely serviceable medium of communication”?

A) Rudyard Kipling

B) Denis Brian

C) Saul Bellow

D) Lewis Carroll

9. Which author received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1976?

A) Lewis Carroll

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) H. G. Wells

D) Saul Bellow

10. Who among the authors was described as having a “cosmopolitan” perspective in his writing?

A) Rudyard Kipling

B) Lewis Carroll

C) H. G. Wells

D) Saul Bellow

11. What is the primary focus of the excerpt?

A) The evolution of journalism over the past century.

B) The cultural significance and varying perceptions of interviews.

C) The techniques used by journalists to conduct interviews.

D) The history of famous literary figures and their interactions with the media.

12. Which author disdained interviews, likening them to a crime?

A) Rudyard Kipling

B) Lewis Carroll

C) H. G. Wells

D) V. S. Naipaul

13. Who is credited with the quote, “These days, more than at any other time, our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are through interviews”?

A) V. S. Naipaul

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) H. G. Wells

D) Denis Brian

14. Which literary figure was known to avoid interviews due to a fear of being lionised?

A) Lewis Carroll

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) Mark Twain

D) H. G. Wells

15. Who among the authors mentioned had a negative view of interviews despite being interviewed himself on multiple occasions?

A) H. G. Wells

B) Rudyard Kipling

C) Saul Bellow

D) Joseph Stalin

Answers: 

1. B) Rudyard Kipling
2. A) Lewis Carroll
3. D) Saul Bellow
4. B) Rudyard Kipling
5. C) H. G. Wells
6. A) Lewis Carroll
7. A) H. G. Wells
8. B) Denis Brian
9. D) Saul Bellow
10. A) Rudyard Kipling
11. B) The cultural significance and varying perceptions of interviews.
12. A) Rudyard Kipling
13. D) Denis Brian
14. A) Lewis Carroll
15. C) Saul Bellow