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What makes a good interview truly memorable? How do famous personalities reveal their true selves through conversations? Can interviews be both informative and entertaining?
Welcome to our detailed look into Chapter 7: The Interview from the Class 12 CBSE English syllabus. This chapter offers a unique perspective on the world of interviews not just as a journalistic tool but as a reflection of personality, intellect, and human connection. Written in the form of notes, the chapter presents varied viewpoints on interviews, exploring their strengths, challenges, and ethical concerns.
Whether you’re a student aiming to understand the chapter deeply or someone curious about how interviews shape public image and thought, this introduction will guide you through its key themes in simple and relatable language. Stay with us as we uncover the essence of this chapter and how it fits into your board exam preparation.
Why do interviews matter? Who decides the questions we often hear in the media? Before we dive into the chapter, let’s learn a bit about the author.
Christopher Silvester is a British journalist and writer who studied at Peterhouse, Cambridge. He has written and edited many works on media, politics, and popular culture. Silvester is best known for his insights into the world of journalism, especially interviews.
In this chapter, he shares different opinions on interviews and how they can reveal, influence, or even invade someone’s life. His writing encourages readers to think deeply about the power of questions and the role of interviewers in today’s world.
About the Author
Christopher Silvester is the writer of "The Interview", which appears in the Class 12 CBSE English Flamingo textbook. He is a well-known British journalist, writer, and editor. Silvester studied at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he developed a strong interest in writing, literature, and media.
He has written and edited several books and articles, many of which explore the world of journalism, film, politics, and popular culture. He is especially recognised for his work on interviews and how they shape public opinion. His knowledge and experience in media are clearly reflected in this chapter, where he brings together different views on the practice of interviewing.
Through this chapter, Silvester helps readers think critically about how interviews are used to inform, entertain, and sometimes even invade privacy. His writing encourages students to reflect on the power of questions and the responsibility of journalists.
Background of the Story
Have you ever thought about how interviews affect the way we see celebrities, writers, or leaders? Are interviews just a way to get information, or do they reveal something deeper?
The chapter “The Interview” is taken from a collection edited by Christopher Silvester, a British journalist and writer. It offers a detailed look at the history, purpose, and impact of interviews in modern media. Over the past 130 years, interviews have become a powerful tool in journalism. They are used to share personal stories, gather opinions, and uncover the truth.
This piece is not a typical story, but more of a reflection. It presents the thoughts of different writers and public figures some believe interviews are useful and informative, while others feel they can be intrusive or even damaging. The chapter helps students understand both sides of the argument and think critically about how media shapes what we know and believe.
Chapter 7, titled “The Interview,” talks about how interviews have become a very common part of our lives, especially in journalism and media. The chapter explores the different views people have about interviews — some think they are a great way to learn about others, while others believe they can be personal and intrusive.
The chapter features a conversation with Christopher Silvester, who shares his thoughts on the subject. He explains that interviews can reveal a lot about a person's character, ideas, and experiences. However, some people, especially celebrities and writers, do not like being interviewed because they feel it invades their privacy or misrepresents them.
The chapter also mentions famous writers like V.S. Naipaul and H.G. Wells, who were not fond of interviews. On the other hand, some people enjoy interviews because they get a chance to share their opinions and connect with a wider audience.
In the second part of the chapter, there is an interview with Umberto Eco, a well-known Italian writer and philosopher. He talks about his love for writing, his habits, and how he manages his time. He shares that he writes not just for fame but because he enjoys expressing his ideas and knowledge.
Overall, the chapter helps readers understand the purpose and power of interviews. It shows how interviews can be both informative and uncomfortable, depending on how they are handled.
Message in the Story
The main message of "The Interview" is to highlight the power and responsibility that come with interviewing someone. Through different views and examples, the chapter shows that interviews can be both informative and intrusive.
Some people see interviews as a useful way to understand a person’s thoughts, personality, and achievements. Others, especially writers and artists, feel interviews take away their privacy and misrepresent their true selves. The story helps readers see both the positive and negative sides of interviews in the media.
The chapter encourages us to think carefully about how much we can trust what we hear in interviews, and how the way questions are asked can shape someone’s image. It reminds us that interviewers must be respectful and honest, and interviewees have the right to protect their identity and personal space.
In short, the message is that interviews are a powerful tool — but with that power comes the need for balance, sensitivity, and truthfulness.
What makes a writer truly memorable? Is it just talent, or also humility and discipline? In this chapter, we meet Umberto Eco, a man whose life and work offer much more than just bestselling novels.
Umberto Eco – A Multi-talented Scholar and Humble Writer
Umberto Eco, the central figure in the second part of The Interview, comes across as a brilliant, humble, and deeply thoughtful person. He was a well-known Italian novelist, academic, philosopher, and critic, best known for his popular novel The Name of the Rose.
In the interview with Mukund Padmanabhan, Eco talks about his ability to manage different roles in his life. He explains how he balances his work as a professor with his passion for writing fiction and non-fiction. His love for books and ideas is clear throughout the conversation. Eco doesn’t believe in wasting time—he uses even small moments in a productive way.
Despite his fame, Eco remains down-to-earth. He doesn’t see himself as a great novelist but rather as someone who writes with meaning and purpose. He believes that even his academic work has a kind of "narrative" or storytelling style, which is why it connects with people.
Eco’s character reflects wisdom, discipline, creativity, and modesty. He is a perfect example of how a person can stay grounded while achieving success in many fields.
Why do interviews matter in today’s world? Can a single question change how we see someone? These are the kinds of important ideas that Chapter 7 – The Interview helps students explore.
Promotes Critical Thinking:
The chapter helps students think deeply about the role and impact of interviews in modern society.
Explains Media and Communication:
It introduces the importance of interviews in journalism, helping learners understand how they shape public opinion.
Presents Balanced Perspectives:
The text shares both positive and negative views on interviews, encouraging students to form their own informed opinions.
Enhances Analytical Skills:
By reading and reflecting on different viewpoints, students develop skills useful for debates, essays, and discussions.
Improves Language and Comprehension:
The chapter improves reading comprehension and vocabulary, especially in formal and journalistic English.
Connects with Literature:
The interview with Umberto Eco gives insight into a writer’s thoughts, linking well with literary studies.
Career Relevance:
It introduces students to real-world media practices, useful for careers in journalism, writing, and communication.
By reading this chapter, students improve their analytical thinking, language skills, and understanding of how media affects our everyday lives. It also prepares them for academic writing, debates, and even future careers in journalism or communication.
Preparing for board exams can feel overwhelming, especially when time is limited and concepts are tricky. So, how can students study smarter, not just harder? That’s where clear, chapter-wise material comes in.
Saves Time During Revision
Well-organised notes, summaries, and explanations make it easier to revise the chapter quickly before exams.
Improves Understanding
The material explains difficult ideas in simple words, helping students understand the core concepts without confusion.
Supports Answer Writing
With clear points, character sketches, and themes, students can write better answers in the board exam, using the right structure and keywords.
Boosts Confidence
Having everything explained in easy language builds confidence and reduces exam stress.
Focuses on Exam-Relevant Topics
The material follows the CBSE pattern and highlights important questions, helping students focus only on what matters most.
Enhances Marks Scoring Ability
With clear summaries, messages, and question-answer formats, students can attempt long and short answers more effectively.
Useful for Quick Recap
Perfect for last-minute revision, this content acts as a quick refresher of key ideas and important facts.
Do you feel confident about Chapter 7, but still struggle with certain questions in exams? Many students do. This chapter is more analytical than narrative, and that’s where some common mistakes happen.
Here are the errors students often make and how to avoid them:
Confusing the Two Parts of the Chapter
Many students mix up Part 1 (the views on interviews) with Part 2 (the interview with Umberto Eco). Always remember: Part 1 is general and theoretical; Part 2 is specific and practical.
Ignoring the Author’s Purpose
Some students forget that the chapter is meant to make you think critically about interviews, not just remember facts. Focus on the message and opinions, not just the content.
Misunderstanding Umberto Eco's Ideas
Eco's thoughts on writing and his working style are often misunderstood. Read his answers carefully—he talks about using “empty spaces” in time and believes his academic writing also tells a story.
Writing Vague Answers
Students sometimes give general responses instead of quoting or referring to specific points from the text. Use examples from the chapter to support your answers.
Not Covering Both Sides of the Argument
In Part 1, some students only write about the advantages or disadvantages of interviews. A balanced answer must include both positive and negative views.
Skipping Key Vocabulary and Terms
Words like “intrusive”, “narrative”, and “non-fiction” are often used in this chapter. Understanding these helps improve answer quality and clarity.
Tip: Always read the chapter with an open mind. It’s more about understanding perspectives than memorising facts.
Chapter 7 – The Interview offers a unique and thoughtful perspective on the art of interviewing. Rather than presenting a traditional story, it encourages students to reflect on the power, influence, and responsibility that come with asking and answering questions in the media. Through various viewpoints and the real-life interview with Umberto Eco, the chapter highlights both the value and challenges of this form of communication. It teaches that interviews are more than just conversations—they can shape public opinion, reveal hidden truths, or even invade personal space. This chapter helps students build critical thinking, media awareness, and language skills, all of which are essential in today’s information-driven world. It also reminds readers to view media with care and to understand that every interview is shaped by the purpose behind it. Overall, it is a valuable lesson in both journalism and human interaction.
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