Gatsby's criminal activity is used to support which aim?

Gatsby's criminal activity is used to support which aim?

• A. Creating and controlling his identity
• B. Securing Daisy's affection through coercion
• C. Gaining legitimate wealth
• D. Defending Tom Buchanan

Answer: (D)

Gatsby’s criminal activity is used in the narrative to defend Tom Buchanan’s position. Fitzgerald stages Gatsby’s bootlegging and illegal wealth as a direct threat to Tom’s marriage and social standing, so Tom leverages that information to cast Gatsby as dangerous and illegitimate. By foregrounding Gatsby’s illegality, Tom is able to argue that Daisy should remain with him, preserving his authority and status. The scene where Tom reveals Gatsby’s criminal background hardens Daisy’s loyalty to Tom and reinforces the social order Tom represents. This isn’t primarily about Gatsby simply reinventing himself or about gaining legitimate wealth. It’s about how the revelation of crime is used to defend Tom’s marriage and social position by discrediting Gatsby.

Gatsby’s criminal activity is used in the narrative to defend Tom Buchanan’s position. Fitzgerald stages Gatsby’s bootlegging and illegal wealth as a direct threat to Tom’s marriage and social standing, so Tom leverages that information to cast Gatsby as dangerous and illegitimate. By foregrounding Gatsby’s illegality, Tom is able to argue that Daisy should remain with him, preserving his authority and status. The scene where Tom reveals Gatsby’s criminal background hardens Daisy’s loyalty to Tom and reinforces the social order Tom represents.

This isn’t primarily about Gatsby simply reinventing himself or about gaining legitimate wealth. It’s about how the revelation of crime is used to defend Tom’s marriage and social position by discrediting Gatsby.