Please read the 'preface to the edition of the Manuscript', which begins on page 1 of your edition of NOR, and ends with the date "January 5, 1980".
Read this carefully, with attention to the fictional 'details' of the discovery, translation, and loss of the 'old book.'
Then, write about what you think this 'preface' (I put it in '' because it is not called a preface -- in fact, it isn't called anything) means. Certainly it establishes some kind of relationship between the period of time, between 1968 and 1980, that this 'discovery' and 'translation' fictionally took place.
Does this preface establish some kind of parallel between the mid-20th century and the early 14th century (the novel is set in the year 1327)? What do you make of this relationship?
In what ways is Eco implying that the 14th century may be a "distant mirror" to the 20th century? Look up "A distant mirror" on Google (or, read the book). Read a little bit about this book, by the late Barbara Tuchman.
Please write 300 words or a little more, and email to me.