Delhi Public School

Jodhpur

English Core
Class 12-C

Topic- The Interview

By- Christopher Submitted by-
Silvester Daksh sethiya
Submitted to- Neha
Chauhan
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere
gratitude to my English teacher for her
guidance and support throughout this
project. Her valuable suggestions and
motivation have helped me complete this
project successfully

Declaration
I hereby declare that this project on “The
Interview” is my original work and has not
been submitted elsewhere for any other
purpose.

Certificate
This is to certify that Daksh Sethiya,
student of Class XII – C, has successfully
completed the English Project on “The
Interview” by Christopher Silvester for the
session 2025–26.
Teacher’s Signature: ____________________

Topic: The Interview

Author: Christopher
Silvester
Author Information
Birth: 1959 (age ~66)
Christopher Silvester is a British journalist and
writer, known for his editorial work in The Penguin
Book of Interviews. He worked for Private Eye and
The Independent, and his writings explore the art of
communication and journalism. Silvester’s
contribution to literature lies in how he highlights
the evolving relationship between the interviewer
and the interviewed, portraying interviews as both
an art and a reflection of human curiosity.
Significance of the Title,
Theme & Plot
The title “The Interview” signifies the
central role interviews play in modern
communication, offering insights into
personalities and public lives.
Theme: The chapter explores the nature
of interviews — whether they are a form of
intrusion or a legitimate source of
knowledge. It examines multiple
perspectives through writers and thinkers.
Message: The text suggests that
interviews can be both invasive and
enlightening. They serve as a mirror
reflecting the balance between personal
privacy and public interest.
Plot: The chapter is an extract from The
Penguin Book of Interviews, where
Christopher Silvester traces the history of
interviewing. He presents views from
famous personalities like Rudyard Kipling,
who condemned interviews as immoral,
and Umberto Eco, who considered them a
platform for intellectual expression.

Summary
“The Interview” explores the
evolution of interviews as a literary
and journalistic form. Christopher
Silvester examines how interviews
have become a central part of
journalism since the 19th century.
The text includes differing opinions:
while some writers see interviews as
an intrusion into privacy, others
acknowledge their importance in
understanding individuals. Umberto
Eco, in his interview with Mukund
Padmanabhan, discusses his views
on writing, his interests in semiotics,
and his organized way of thinking.
The piece highlights how interviews
not only reveal facts but also reflect
personality, thought processes, and
cultural values. Overall, the chapter
gives readers a balanced view of
how interviews function as a vital
means of communication and
record-keeping in the modern world.

Character Sketches.
Umberto Eco:
A renowned Italian novelist,
philosopher, and semiotician. In his
interview, Eco presents himself as
logical, disciplined, and humble. He
sees life as an interconnected text,
reflecting his intellectual depth.
Christopher Silvester:
The compiler and commentator who
examines the interview as a
journalistic art form. His balanced
narration helps readers appreciate
both the positive and negative sides
of interviews.

Important Lines
1. “The interview has become a
commonplace of journalism.”
2. “Some see it as an intrusion into
the private lives of individuals.”
3. “Umberto Eco sees himself as a
university professor who writes
novels on Sundays.”
4. “Interviews reveal the personality
behind the work.”
Analogy-based Questions
1. Interview : Journalism :: Question :
___________
→ Answer: Inquiry
2. Author : Book :: Interviewer : ___________
→ Answer: Subject
3. Conversation : Understanding ::
Interview : ___________
→ Answer: Revelation
4. Privacy : Person :: Interview : ___________
→ Answer: Publicity
Short Questions (40–50 words
each)
Q.1. What does Christopher Silvester say
about the history of interviews?
Interviews became an important form of
journalism in the 19th century. They helped
readers understand the thoughts and
personalities of famous people. Silvester
explains how interviews changed the way
information is shared and how they became a
significant part of modern communication.
[Link] does Umberto Eco describe his
approach to writing and work?
Umberto Eco sees himself primarily as a
university professor who writes novels in his
free time. He believes in organizing his
thoughts and using his academic background
to create literature. His method shows
discipline, creativity, and the blending of
intellectual and imaginative work.
3. Why did some famous writers dislike
interviews?
Many writers, like Rudyard Kipling, disliked
interviews because they felt it invaded their
privacy. They believed it exposed personal
emotions and thoughts to the public, making
them uncomfortable. Kipling even called
interviews “an offence against a person,”
showing how intrusive he found them.

Extract 1:

“The interview has become a commonplace

of journalism. In its highest form, it is a
source of truth, and in its lowest, it is an
intrusion into private lives.”

Q1. What atmosphere does the author create in this scene?
The author uses vivid imagery and sound to create a tense and
mysterious atmosphere. The storm, the mist, and the wild sea
symbolize chaos and uncertainty. The setting mirrors the inner
conflict that Sadao will soon face — between his patriotic duty and
humanitarian instincts. The dark, stormy weather also foreshadows
moral turbulence and the danger that lies ahead.

Q2. What is the significance of this scene in the story?

This scene marks the turning point where Sadao and Hana’s lives
change. The arrival of the wounded American soldier on the shore
sets the moral conflict in motion. Their decision to help or abandon
him will test their values, loyalty, and humanity. The sea, which
brings the enemy to their doorstep, symbolizes fate and the
uncontrollable nature of moral challenges.

Q3. How does this extract reflect Hana’s character?

Hana’s reaction reveals both fear and compassion. Though she is
shocked and hesitant, she doesn’t turn away. Her willingness to help
Sadao carry the soldier shows her emotional strength, loyalty, and
 moral awareness. Pearl S. Buck portrays her as a supportive partner
who, despite being bound by cultural expectations, follows her
conscience.

Q4. What does the ocean symbolize in this context?

The ocean in this passage symbolizes life’s unpredictability and the
uncontrollable forces of destiny. Just as the waves throw the enemy
soldier onto the beach, moral challenges often arrive unexpectedly
in human life. It also represents cleansing and transformation — as
this event leads Sadao toward moral awakening and inner growth.

Extract 2:

“He was not a friend. He was an enemy.

Still, he was a wounded man. He was a
prisoner of war, and he might be a menace
to Japan. But whatever he was, he was
wounded, and he needed care. Dr. Sadao
knew that perfectly well. The blood flowed
freshly again from the cut, and he made
haste to stop it. The man moaned with
pain. He was a white man, an American
soldier. Sadao washed the wound carefully
and began to operate.”
Q1. What inner conflict does Dr. Sadao experience here?
Sadao’s internal struggle is between his duty as a Japanese citizen
and his moral responsibility as a doctor. He knows the man is an
American — his nation’s enemy — yet he cannot ignore the suffering
of a wounded human being. His medical ethics and compassion
overpower his fear of political consequences, revealing his strong
moral core.
 Q2. How does this passage highlight the story’s central
theme?
This extract embodies the story’s central theme — the triumph of
humanity over prejudice and war. Despite being surrounded by fear
and hatred, Sadao upholds the universal value of compassion. His
decision to save the soldier, even at personal risk, shows that moral
conscience is stronger than national boundaries or wartime
propaganda.

Q3. What does the author convey about human nature

through this extract?
Pearl S. Buck portrays the universal goodness within human nature.
Even in times of hatred and division, empathy remains a guiding
force. The story suggests that morality is not defined by nationality
or political loyalty but by the ability to recognize and relieve human
suffering.

Q4. What literary devices are used in this passage?

The passage uses repetition (“He was not a friend. He was an
enemy.”) to emphasize Sadao’s mental struggle. The contrast
between “enemy” and “wounded man” highlights the clash between
reason and compassion. Imagery and symbolism are used effectively
to show both physical pain and emotional turmoil.

Extract 3:

“The General was in pain, and he could not

afford to let his most skilled surgeon be
arrested. He had been trained in Germany
and was a man of great authority. He said,
‘You are indispensable to me, Sadao. If I
send assassins to kill the prisoner, you
need not be afraid. They will do it without
your knowledge.’ But the assassins never
came. The General forgot his promise,
preoccupied with his own health. Thus, Dr.
Sadao remained safe, and the prisoner too
escaped.”
Q1. What does this extract reveal about the General’s
personality?
The General is portrayed as self-centered and morally weak.
Although he holds great power, he uses it for his personal benefit
rather than justice or discipline. His hypocrisy becomes clear when
he overlooks a crime because he needs Dr. Sadao’s medical
services. This shows his selfishness and moral corruption during
wartime.

Q2. What irony is present in this situation?

The irony lies in the fact that the General, who is expected to uphold
national security and discipline, becomes complicit in protecting a
man who helped an enemy soldier. His selfishness and fear of losing
his doctor make him betray his own authority. It highlights the moral
decay of the powerful.

Q3. How does this extract contrast the General and Dr.
Sadao?
Dr. Sadao acts out of conscience and moral duty, while the General
acts out of self-interest and fear. This contrast shows that real
strength lies in compassion, not authority. Sadao’s humanity makes
him noble, while the General’s selfishness exposes the emptiness of
power without integrity.

Q4. What larger message does Pearl S. Buck communicate

through this episode?
Through this extract, Buck conveys that moral courage and integrity
are greater than rank or power. The General’s weakness and Sadao’s
compassion reflect the story’s deeper message — that humanity,
honesty, and ethical action define true strength, even in a world
corrupted by war and politics.
Integrated Question 1
Q1. Compare the moral conflict in “The Enemy” by Pearl S.
Buck with that in “Should Wizard Hit Mommy?” by John
Updike.

Ans:
Both stories explore the theme of moral conflict and conscience,
though in different contexts.
In “The Enemy”, Dr. Sadao faces a deep ethical dilemma — whether
to obey his patriotic duty or his moral obligation as a doctor. Despite
knowing the wounded man is an American enemy soldier, Sadao
chooses humanity over nationalism, guided by compassion and
ethics.
Similarly, in “Should Wizard Hit Mommy?”, Jack, the father, struggles
between truth and comfort while telling his daughter a story. He
insists that reality and moral honesty are more important than
pleasing falsehoods.
In both stories, the protagonists experience internal battles between
duty and emotion, ultimately showing that moral strength lies in
doing what is right, not what is easy or socially accepted.

Integrated Question 2
Q2. How does “The Enemy” connect with “On the Face of It”
by Susan Hill in highlighting human empathy and
acceptance?

Ans:
Both “The Enemy” and “On the Face of It” emphasize the universal
value of human empathy and compassion.
In “The Enemy”, Dr. Sadao rises above national hatred and treats a
wounded American soldier purely out of humanitarian concern. His
act symbolizes the triumph of kindness over prejudice and war.
Similarly, in “On the Face of It”, Mr. Lamb helps Derry, a physically
disfigured boy, overcome his bitterness toward society. Lamb’s
empathy and wisdom teach Derry to accept himself and see beauty
in life again.
Both stories reveal that understanding, acceptance, and compassion
bridge emotional and social divides. They convey the powerful
message that true humanity lies in helping others heal — physically,
mentally, and emotionally — regardless of their differences.