Mr. Allworthy, an English squire of the 18th century, needs to hire a tutor for his nephew and his adopted son. Thwackum is a private tutor who was referred to Mr. Allworthy by a well-regarded friend.,end italics,
from ,begin bold,The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling,end bold,
Having, therefore, determined to commit these boys to the tuition of a private tutor, Mr. Thwackum was recommended to him for that office, by a very particular friend, of whose understanding Mr. Allworthy had a great opinion, and in whose integrity he placed much confidence. This Thwackum was fellow,superscript,1,baseline, of a college, where he almost entirely resided; and had a great reputation for learning, religion, and sobriety of manners. And these were doubtless the qualifications by which Mr. Allworthy's friend had been induced to recommend him; though indeed this friend had some obligations to Thwackum's family, who were the most considerable persons in a borough which that gentleman represented in parliament.
Thwackum, at his first arrival, was extremely agreeable to Allworthy; and indeed he perfectly answered the character which had been given of him. Upon longer acquaintance, however, and more intimate conversation, this worthy man saw infirmities in the tutor, which he could have wished him to have been without; though as those seemed greatly overbalanced by his good qualities, they did not incline Mr. Allworthy to part with him: nor would they indeed have justified such a proceeding; for the reader is greatly mistaken, if he conceives that Thwackum appeared to Mr. Allworthy in the same light as he doth to him [the reader] in this history; and he is as much deceived, if he imagines that the most intimate acquaintance which he himself could have had with that divine,superscript,2,baseline,, would have informed him of those things which we, from our inspiration, are enabled to open and discover. Of readers who, from such conceits as these, condemn the wisdom or penetration of Mr. Allworthy, I shall not scruple to say that they make a very bad and ungrateful use of that knowledge which we have communicated to them.
(from ,begin underline,The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling,end underline, by Henry Fielding)
,fill in the blank,
,begin bold,,superscript,1,baseline, fellow:,end bold, an associate
,begin bold,,superscript,2,baseline, divine:,end bold, theologian, clergyman
Question
What is the effect of the irony in the first paragraph?
Answer options with 4 options
1.
It highlights Mr. Allworthy's generosity in hiring Thwackum solely on the basis of his friend's recommendation.
2.
It illustrates Mr. Allworthy's innocence as he is unable to see beyond Thwackum's reputation to his true qualities.
3.
It shows the friend's immorality and unreliability as he purposely deceives Mr. Allworthy about Thwackum's deficiencies.
4.
It creates doubt about Thwackum's favorable recommendation by revealing how the friend is indebted to Thwackum's fami
1 answer
The effect of the irony in the first paragraph is best captured by option:
2. It illustrates Mr. Allworthy's innocence as he is unable to see beyond Thwackum's reputation to his true qualities.
This option highlights how Mr. Allworthy, despite his good intentions and trust in his friend's judgment, fails to recognize the potential flaws in Thwackum's character that are not immediately evident. The irony lies in the contrast between Thwackum's outward reputation and the hidden deficiencies that Mr. Allworthy is unaware of.
