This page offers The Interview summary Class 12 pdf in easy language. We have presented short and long summaries from 50 words to 300 words. Go through to get a deep insight of the chapter The Interview from the Book Flamingo.  It is useful for exam point of view and quick learning of the chapter. Downloadable PDF is also available. 

1- Short Summary of the Chapter “The Interview”-

The chapter “The Interview” is divided into two parts. It begins with the history and role of interviews in journalism. Christopher Silvester explains how interviews became common in journalism over the last 130 years. He mentions that some see interviews as revealing truth. Others see them as invasions of privacy. Famous figures like V.S. Naipaul and Rudyard Kipling disliked interviews for this reason. 

The second part features an interview with Umberto Eco. Eco discusses how he balances academic work with novel writing. He shares that his novel, “The Name of the Rose,” became a bestseller. Eco uses a narrative style in his academic work.

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This makes it engaging and easier to read. He sees himself mainly as a professor, valuing his academic work over literary fame. The interview shows Eco’s views on using time wisely and staying true to one’s identity.

2- Detailed Summary of the chapter “The Interview”- 

The chapter “The Interview” has two parts. In the first part of the chapter, it talks about the concept of interviews. Christopher Silvester gives a brief history of interviews in journalism. He says that interviews have been important for about 130 years.

Today, they are popular, and many famous people have been interviewed many times. But, opinions on interviews are different. Some think they reveal the truth and are a form of art. Others, especially celebrities, see interviews as invasions of privacy. For example, V.S. Naipaul believed that interviews could harm people by revealing too much of their private lives.

The chapter also talks about other famous people’s views on interviews. Lewis Carroll, who wrote “Alice in Wonderland,” disliked being interviewed and avoided meeting new people because of it. Rudyard Kipling, the author of “The Jungle Book,” was angry about interviews and compared them to a crime.

Even though he once interviewed Mark Twain, he later regretted it. H.G. Wells called interviews an “ordeal,” but he still agreed to several. Interviews are still a powerful way to communicate and share ideas.

In the second part of the chapter, an interview with Umberto Eco is featured. The interviewer, Mukund Padmanabhan, asks Eco how he manages to do so much. Eco explains that, even though it looks like he’s doing many things, he is always focused on the same main ideas.

Eco shares his secret to time management, saying he uses “empty spaces” in his day to be productive. For example, he might write an article while waiting for an elevator. This shows how Eco makes the most of every moment. He even jokes that he could write a whole article while waiting for someone to arrive.

The interviewer also shows Eco’s unique academic writing style. His writing style is more playful and personal compared to the usual formal academic tone. Eco shares how he wrote his doctoral dissertation as a story. His professor liked this approach. It taught Eco that academic writing could be more interesting if it tells a story.

Eco began writing novels around the age of 50. His novel, “The Name of the Rose,” became a massive success. The novel’s popularity was unexpected. Even though Eco is a successful novelist, he mainly sees himself as a professor. He prefers attending academic conferences over literary events. He feels more connected to the academic community. 

In conclusion, the chapter shows the importance of interviews in modern communication. It also shows how interviews have been an important part of journalism for over a century. Some view them as a valuable tool for uncovering truth, while others feel they invade personal privacy.

Through the interview with Umberto Eco, we gain insights into his thoughts on balancing academic work with creative writing, time management, and the unexpected success of his novels. The chapter shows that interviews can offer deep insights into a person’s life and work.

3.Point-wise Summary

Here is a point-wise summary of the chapter “The Interview” in 10 easy-to-remember points:

1. History of Interviews: Interviews have been an important part of journalism for about 130 years, revealing people’s thoughts and lives.

2. Mixed Opinions: Some people see interviews as a way to find truth, while others, especially celebrities, feel they invade privacy.

3. Famous Reactions: Writers like V.S. Naipaul and Lewis Carroll disliked interviews. They feared losing their privacy or being misunderstood.

4. Rudyard Kipling’s View: Kipling thought interviews were wrong. He compared them to crimes that invade personal space.

5. Umberto Eco’s Interview: Umberto Eco, a famous author and professor, balances his academic work with writing novels. 

6. Eco’s Time Management: Eco uses “empty spaces” in his day, like waiting for an elevator, to be productive and write.

7. Unique Writing Style: Eco’s academic writing is engaging. He makes complex ideas more interesting by telling a story.

8. Late Start in Novels: Eco started writing novels at age 50. His book “The Name of the Rose” became a big success despite being complex.

9. Identity as a Professor: Even though Eco is a successful novelist, he mainly sees himself as a university professor. He prefers attending academic conferences over literary events. 

10. Importance of Interviews: The chapter shows how interviews provide deep insights into a person’s life and can influence public perception.