Question

was referred to mr. allworthy by a well - regarded friend. from the history of tom jones, a foundling 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 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. allworthys friend had been induced to recommend him; though indeed this friend had some obligations to thwackums family, who were the most considerable persons in a borough which that gentleman represented in parliament. what is the effect of the irony in the first paragraph? 1. it highlights mr. allworthys generosity in hiring thwackum solely on the basis of his friends recommendation. 2. it illustrates mr. allworthys innocence as he is unable to see beyond thwackums reputation to his true qualities. 3. it shows the friends immorality and unreliability as he purposely deceives mr. allworthy about thwackums deficiencies. 4. it creates doubt about thwackums favorable recommendation by revealing how the friend is indebted to thwackums family.

Explanation:

The irony lies in the fact that the friend recommends Thwackum not purely based on his merits but because of obligations to Thwackum's family. This revelation casts doubt on the authenticity of the positive recommendation.

Answer:

1. It creates doubt about Thwackum's favorable recommendation by revealing how the friend is indebted to Thwackum's family.