Interview

Interview – Part I
Critical Analysis
Introduction: The passage discusses the ubiquitous nature of interviews in journalism and the varied
opinions surrounding them. It presents viewpoints from different authors, including V.S. Naipaul,
Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling, H.G. Wells, Saul Bellow, and Denis Brian, highlighting both positive and
negative perspectives on interviews.
Importance of Interviews:
• Interviews have become a common feature in journalism since their invention over 130 years
ago.
• Almost everyone who can read has encountered interviews.
• Thousands of celebrities have been interviewed, emphasizing the widespread practice and
popularity of interviews.
• Interviews serve as a medium for sharing truth and are considered an art form by some.
Diverse Opinions:
• Some view interviews positively, considering them a source of truth and an art form.
• Celebrities, however, may feel victimized by interviews, seeing them as intrusive and
potentially diminishing.
• Lewis Carroll and Rudyard Kipling express strong aversion to interviews, considering them
immoral and akin to theft of one's identity or soul.
• Despite Kipling's condemnation, he himself had conducted interviews earlier, indicating a

contradiction in his stance.
• H.G. Wells, while acknowledging the ordeal of being interviewed, was an interviewee himself
and even interviewed Joseph Stalin later.
• Saul Bellow, despite consenting to interviews at times, likened them to a suffocating

experience, implying discomfort with the process.
Utility of Interviews:
• Despite criticisms, interviews remain a valuable medium of communication.
• Denis Brian emphasizes the significance of interviews in shaping contemporary perceptions

and facilitating the exchange of important information.
• Interviewers are noted to wield significant power and influence due to their role in shaping
public perceptions through their questions.
Conclusion: The passage provides a nuanced exploration of the role and perception of interviews in
journalism, highlighting both their significance and the diverse attitudes towards them. Despite
criticisms, interviews remain an integral part of media communication, offering insights into
contemporary issues and personalities.
Interview – Part II
Critical Analysis
This lesson provides insights from an interview with Umberto Eco, a renowned Italian professor, and
novelist. Eco discusses his diverse interests, writing style, and the unexpected success of his novel,
"The Name of the Rose."
Umberto Eco's Background and Reputation:
• Umberto Eco is a professor at the University of Bologna, known for his expertise in semiotics,
literary interpretation, and medieval aesthetics.
• Before venturing into fiction writing, Eco had established himself as a formidable scholar
with a wide-ranging body of work, including academic texts, essays, and children's books.
Eco's Philosophy and Approach to Writing:
• Eco sees his academic and fictional pursuits as interconnected, driven by philosophical and
ethical interests.
• He describes his writing process as utilizing "empty spaces" in life, where he finds time to
work, even in seemingly mundane moments like waiting for an elevator.
• Eco's non-fictional writing is characterized by a narrative style, which he adopted after

receiving positive feedback on his doctoral dissertation.
• He started writing novels later in life, finding satisfaction in storytelling and narration, unlike
his friend Roland Barthes, who harboured unfulfilled desires to write fiction.
Perception of Umberto Eco as a Novelist:
• Despite his extensive scholarly contributions, Eco is often recognized primarily as a novelist,
especially after the success of "The Name of the Rose."
• Eco expresses some discomfort with this perception, as he identifies primarily as a university
professor and academic.
• However, he acknowledges the broader reach of novels compared to academic works,

understanding that his fiction engages a larger audience.
Success of "The Name of the Rose":
• "The Name of the Rose" achieved significant commercial success despite its complex themes
and historical depth.
• Eco attributes the novel's success to its appeal to readers who appreciate challenging
experiences, rather than seeking easy entertainment.
• He reflects on the unpredictability of success, citing the novel's unexpected popularity in

countries where familiarity with medieval history might be lacking.
Conclusion: The interview provides valuable insights into Umberto Eco's multifaceted identity as a
scholar and novelist, his approach to writing, and the enigmatic success of his celebrated novel. It
highlights Eco's philosophical outlook on life and literature, shedding light on the intricate interplay
between his academic and fictional endeavours.

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Interview – Part I

• Almost everyone who can read has encountered interviews.

• Despite Kipling's condemnation, he himself had conducted interviews earlier, indicating a

• Saul Bellow, despite consenting to interviews at times, likened them to a suffocating

• Despite criticisms, interviews remain a valuable medium of communication.

• Denis Brian emphasizes the significance of interviews in shaping contemporary perceptions

Umberto Eco's Background and Reputation:

Eco's Philosophy and Approach to Writing:

• Eco's non-fictional writing is characterized by a narrative style, which he adopted after

Perception of Umberto Eco as a Novelist:

• However, he acknowledges the broader reach of novels compared to academic works,

Success of "The Name of the Rose":

• He reflects on the unpredictability of success, citing the novel's unexpected popularity in

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