The Interview is Chapter 7 in the Class 12 Flamingo English textbook. It is written by Christopher Silvester and is based on an extract from his anthology The Penguin Book of Interviews. The chapter is divided into two parts. The first part talks about the history and importance of interviews in journalism and how they affect both the interviewer and the person being interviewed. The second part is a real interview between the famous writer Mukund Padmanabhan and literary icon Khushwant Singh, where Singh shares his views about writing, fame, and life. The chapter highlights how interviews have shaped modern communication and literature.
I am writing about this chapter because many students find it dull at first glance, but it has a lot of exam value and life lessons. Interviews are not just a media tool; they are also a way to understand the mindset of successful people. By studying this chapter, you can learn how questions can shape a person’s image, how writers protect their privacy, and why some people love giving interviews while others avoid them. Also, Khushwant Singh’s part of the chapter gives insight into how a writer thinks and lives. It’s important to go beyond the surface when reading this chapter, and I hope this article helps you do that—along with a PDF download link for easy access.
Chapter Summary – The Interview by Christopher Silvester
The chapter is divided into two sections, both connected to the world of interviews but in different styles.
Part 1: History and Nature of Interviews
This section, written by Silvester, discusses how interviews have become a key part of modern journalism over the past 130 years. Some people believe interviews are a powerful tool to gather information, while others think they are intrusive.
- Positive Side:
Interviews help bring out real stories and insights that cannot be found in books or reports. They give direct access to someone’s thoughts. - Criticism of Interviews:
Writers like V.S. Naipaul and H.G. Wells disliked interviews. They felt interviews misrepresented their personality or disturbed their peace. Some even believed it was like stealing a person’s privacy. - Interviews as Art:
Some people believe that asking the right questions is an art form, and a well-done interview can reveal deep truths.
Part 2: Interview with Khushwant Singh
The second part is a real interview between Mukund Padmanabhan, a journalist with The Hindu, and famous Indian author Khushwant Singh.
What’s Covered in the Interview:
- Writing Style:
Singh believed in writing clearly and simply. He did not like complex vocabulary or unnecessary decoration in writing. - Family and Roots:
He spoke about how his upbringing and family history affected his worldview and writing. - Work Discipline:
Singh shared that he was very disciplined with his writing. He wrote regularly and believed in staying busy. - Views on Interviews:
Interestingly, Khushwant Singh himself did not mind being interviewed and gave honest answers.
Key Learnings from the Chapter
- Interviews can shape or spoil a person’s public image depending on how the conversation is handled.
- Many people dislike being interviewed because it invades their privacy or misrepresents their thoughts.
- Famous writers often have mixed feelings about interviews. Some use them as promotion, while others avoid them.
- Discipline, simplicity in language, and regular reading are key qualities of successful writers like Khushwant Singh.
Download PDF – NCERT Class 12 Flamingo Chapter 7
If you want to read or revise the full chapter anytime, you can download the official NCERT PDF for Flamingo Chapter 7: The Interview.
