Christopher Silvester
THINK AS YOU READ
1. What are some positive views on interviews?
Ans: Interviews have become an important part of journalism over the last 130 years. They are a useful way of communication and often help reveal the truth about a person. Through interviews people can learn about the thoughts, ideas and experiences of famous personalities. Denis Brian also says that interviews help us know our contemporaries better.
2. Why do most celebrity writers dislike interviews?
Ans: Many famous writers dislike interviews because they feel that interviews interfere with their private lives. They believe interviews reduce their dignity and expose their personal thoughts unnecessarily. Writers like V. S. Naipaul felt that interviews left them hurt, while Rudyard Kipling even called interviews immoral and intrusive.
3. What is the belief in some primitive cultures about photographs?
Ans: In some primitive cultures people believed that taking a photograph of a person was like stealing his or her soul. They thought that the person would lose a part of their spirit and become incomplete.
4. What does the expression “thumbprints on his windpipe” mean?
Ans: The expression suggests a feeling of being strangled or choked. It means that an interview can make a person feel uncomfortable and pressured, as if someone is choking them with difficult questions.
5. Who is the main source of information about famous personalities today?
Ans: In the modern world, interviewers are the main source of information about famous personalities. Through interviews they collect important details about a person’s life, achievements and thoughts and present them to the public.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. Do you think Umberto Eco liked being interviewed? Give reasons.
Ans: Yes, Umberto Eco appeared comfortable with interviews. During the conversation he answered questions calmly and patiently. He spoke modestly about his achievements and openly explained his ideas and writing methods. His friendly and relaxed attitude shows that he did not mind being interviewed.
2. How did Eco find time to write so much?
Ans: Eco explained that everyone’s life has empty spaces or free moments. He used these free intervals to write. Another reason was that most of his writings were connected to similar themes and interests. Because of this connection, he could easily work on different writings without wasting much time.
3. What was special about Eco’s academic writing style?
Ans: Eco’s academic writing style was unique because it was lively, personal and playful. Unlike traditional academic writing, which is often serious and impersonal, his writing was interesting and engaging for readers.
4. Did Eco consider himself primarily a novelist or a scholar?
Ans: Eco considered himself primarily an academic scholar. He described himself as a university professor who wrote novels only on Sundays. His main work involved teaching, attending conferences and writing academic texts.
5. Why was The Name of the Rose so successful?
Ans: The Name of the Rose became very popular because it combined different elements such as detective fiction, philosophy, theology and medieval history. This mixture made the novel interesting and unique. However, the exact reason for its huge success still remains uncertain.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
1. Which medium do you prefer for interviews: print, radio or television?
Ans: Television is the most effective medium for interviews because it includes both sound and visuals. The audience can see the expressions, gestures and reactions of the interviewee while listening to their answers. This makes the interview more engaging and reliable compared to print or radio.
2. Should celebrities’ privacy be respected in interviews?
Ans: Yes, the privacy of famous personalities should be respected. While interviews help people learn about their achievements and ideas, asking too many personal questions can make them uncomfortable. Interviewers should focus mainly on professional achievements and maintain respect for the individual’s private life.