Questions and Answers
What are some of the positive views on interviews?
Interviews are seen as a source of truth and a serviceable medium of communication.
Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?
They often view interviews as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives and feel diminished by the process.
What is the belief in some primitive cultures about being photographed?
It is believed that taking a photographic portrait steals the person's soul.
What do you understand by the expression 'thumbprints on his windpipe'?
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Who, in today’s world, is our chief source of information about personalities?
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Study Notes
Author Background
- Christopher Silvester, born in 1959, studied history at Peterhouse, Cambridge.
- Worked as a journalist for Private Eye for a decade and contributed features to Vanity Fair.
Interview Evolution
- Interviews have been part of journalism for over 130 years.
- Generally considered a standard form of communication, encountered by most literate individuals.
Varying Perspectives on Interviews
- Opinions on interviews vary widely, from viewing them as sources of truth to seeing them as intrusive.
- Some celebrities perceive interviews as an invasion of privacy, equating the experience with the loss of self; for instance, V.S. Naipaul believed interviews could wound individuals.
- Lewis Carroll rejected interviews, feeling horror at the idea of being lionized and avoiding interaction with interviewers.
Critical Views
- Rudyard Kipling expressed strong disdain for interviews, calling them immoral and comparable to assault; his wife documented a particularly unpleasant encounter with reporters.
- Despite his condemnation, Kipling had previously interviewed Mark Twain, highlighting the complexity of views among writers.
Notable Writer Experiences
- H.G. Wells referred to the interview process as an "ordeal," yet continued to engage in them.
- Saul Bellow metaphorically likened interviews to "thumbprints on his windpipe," acknowledging both their utility and discomfort.
Contemporary Significance
- Interviews are highlighted as crucial avenues for acquiring insights about contemporaries, with Denis Brian noting they shape our understanding of significant cultural moments and personalities.
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Description
Explore the art and craft of interviewing through excerpts from The Penguin Book of Interviews. This quiz delves into the themes and insights shared by Christopher Silvester about the evolution of interviews in literature. Test your understanding of the excerpts and author's perspective.
