7.2. The Interview - Part 2 - Prose - Class 12 -Flamingo

BhashaLab
2 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 14 hours ago

The Interview (Part II): Umberto Eco

Author/Interviewer: Mukund Padmanabhan

Interviewee: Umberto Eco

Flamingo – Non-fiction / Interview Transcript

Summary

This chapter is an excerpt from a newspaper interview between journalist Mukund Padmanabhan and Umberto Eco, the renowned Italian academic and novelist. The interview explores Eco’s diverse intellectual interests and his ability to write extensively across genres—academic texts, novels, essays, and children’s books. Eco explains that despite seeming to do many different things, all his work is united by common philosophical and ethical concerns. He also reveals his unique ability to utilize "interstices" or empty moments in daily life to be productive. Eco discusses his informal and narrative approach to academic writing, which deviates from the typical dry style. He identifies himself primarily as a professor, not a novelist, even though The Name of the Rose made him globally famous. Eco believes people enjoy complex literature and that his novel’s massive success was unexpected and remains a mystery. He emphasizes that the timing and content of the book may have contributed, but ultimately, no formula can predict literary success.

Character Sketch:

Umberto Eco

Umberto Eco was a highly intellectual, versatile scholar and writer. Despite his fame as a novelist, he remained humble and considered himself primarily a university professor. He had a deep interest in semiotics, philosophy, and ethics, which were reflected in all his works, including children’s stories and fiction. Eco was disciplined, using even short moments of free time productively. His writing style was engaging, often incorporating storytelling even in academic works. He was witty, self-aware, and valued substance over showmanship.

Themes

Theme	Description
Unity in Diversity	Though Eco wrote across genres, his core interests were always philosophical.
Intellectual Discipline	Eco maximized productivity by working in brief empty moments called interstices.
Identity and Fame	Eco preferred to be known as a scholar, not a novelist, despite literary success.
Simplicity in Complexity	His writing made deep ideas accessible, blending narrative with academic thought.
Unpredictability of Success	Eco acknowledges that the timing and reception of a book are often mysterious.

✨ Literary Devices / Stylistic Features

Device	Example	Effect
Anecdote	The elevator story and the cathedral anecdote	Adds humor and relatability
Metaphor	“The universe would become as big as my fist”	Illustrates the concept of eliminating empty spaces in life and time
Irony	Known more as a novelist than a professor, which he dislikes	Highlights the gap between public perception and personal identity
Informal Style	Conversational tone with laughs and personal experiences	Breaks the formal tone often seen in academic writing
Repetition	“Over 40.” (in response to number of scholarly books)	Emphasizes his prolific academic output

Title Justification

The title The Interview (Part II) is apt because it continues the exploration of the interview as a genre, but with a shift in focus. This section presents a real, in-depth conversation with Umberto Eco, giving insights into his writing process, intellectual discipline, and views on fame. It reinforces the power of interviews to capture personal philosophy and behind-the-scenes experiences of influential personalities. Through this focused conversation, readers understand Eco not just as a literary figure but as a thinker with integrity and depth.

One-Mark Questions

How does Umberto Eco manage to write so much?
He utilizes every small moment of free time in his day, which he calls "interstices." Even while waiting for an elevator, he writes something meaningful.
What is the central idea behind all of Eco’s writing?
All his works—fiction or non-fiction—revolve around the same philosophical and ethical ideas. He says they stem from the same “bunch of interests.”
Why does Eco call himself a ‘professor who writes novels on Sundays’?
Eco identifies more with academia and scholarly work than literary fame. He participates in academic conferences and not in writers’ clubs.
What made Eco’s academic style unique?
He wrote his research like a story, including his errors and findings. This narrative style made his academic texts more personal and readable.
What does Eco say about the success of The Name of the Rose?
He considers its success a mystery. Though it deals with complex themes, it attracted a large audience, proving that readers do enjoy difficult literature.

Three-Mark Questions

Explain Eco’s concept of ‘interstices’ and how it helped him.
Umberto Eco believes that daily life has empty spaces—small waiting periods like being in an elevator or waiting for someone. He calls these “interstices” and uses them productively to write. This habit of utilizing every available moment allows him to be prolific without compromising other responsibilities. It shows his discipline and clever time management. This principle contributes greatly to his vast body of work.
Why did Eco adopt a narrative style in his academic writing?
Eco was encouraged to write in a narrative style after his first dissertation was praised for telling the story of his research. Instead of following the traditional structure of hypothesis and conclusion, he included his thought process, doubts, and progression. This made his scholarly works more engaging and human. He realized that storytelling could be a powerful tool even in academic contexts. This approach later influenced his transition into fiction writing.
How did Eco view the success of The Name of the Rose?
Eco did not expect the book to become a bestseller. His publisher in America expected to sell only 3,000 copies, yet it sold millions. Eco believes that the timing of its publication played a mysterious but important role. He argues that journalists and publishers often underestimate readers, assuming they dislike complex literature. Eco believes that some readers still crave challenging and meaningful experiences.

Value-Based Question

What lesson can students learn from Umberto Eco’s views on time and productivity?Umberto Eco teaches us the value of using small, idle moments in our day to do something productive. By working during short gaps, he shows that one does not need long stretches of free time to create something valuable. His discipline and use of “interstices” demonstrate that success often comes from consistency and smart time management. This approach is especially helpful for students juggling multiple tasks. It inspires us to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start doing what we can with the time we have.

End

About BhashaLab:

BhashaLab is a dynamic platform dedicated to the exploration and mastery of languages - operating both online and offline. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Credit Framework (NCrF), we offer language education that emphasizes measurable learning outcomes and recognized, transferable credits.

We offer:

NEP alligned offline language courses for degree colleges - English, Sanskrit, Marathi and Hindi
NEP alligned offline language courses for schools - English, Sanskrit, Marathi and Hindi
Std VIII, IX and X - English and Sanskrit Curriculum Tuitions - All boards
International English Olympiad Tuitions - All classes
Basic and Advanced English Grammar - Offline and Online - Class 3 and above
English Communication Skills for working professionals, adults and students - Offline and Online