Dombey sat in the corner of the darkened room in the great arm-chair by the bedside, and Son lay tucked up warm in a little basket bedstead, carefully disposed on a low settee immediately in front of the fire and close to it, as if his constitution were analogous to that of a muffin, and it was essential to toast him brown while he was very new.

Question

Dombey was about eight-and-forty years of age. Son about eight-and-forty minutes. Dombey was rather bald, rather red, and though a handsome well-made man, too stern and pompous in appearance, to be prepossessing. Son was very bald, and very red, and though (of course) an undeniably fine infant, somewhat crushed and spotty in his general effect, as yet. On the brow of Dombey, Time and his brother Care had set some marks, as on a tree that was to come down in good time — remorseless twins they are for striding through their human forests, notching as they go — while the countenance of Son was crossed with a thousand little creases, which the same deceitful Time would take delight in smoothing out and wearing away with the flat part of his scythe, as a preparation of the surface for his deeper operations.

Which best expresses the main effect of the description of Dombey and his Son?

1.
The description shows that Dombey is happier now that Son is here.

2.
The description compares Dombey and Son to the twins Time and Care.

3.
The description hints that the young will become better men than the old.

4.
The description suggests that Time and Care affect the old and the young alike.

Answer 1

The best option that expresses the main effect of the description of Dombey and his Son is:

4. The description suggests that Time and Care affect the old and the young alike.

This choice reflects the contrast between Dombey and his Son while emphasizing how both are impacted by Time and Care—Dombey showing the marks of age and experience, while Son, despite being very young, has the potential to be shaped by Time as he grows.