What is Finny's reaction when Gene confesses for causing the accident?

• A. He is very defensive and calls Gene crazy
• B. He forgives him immediately
• C. He says Gene's story is false
• D. He laughs

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how Finny handles truth when it challenges his self-image and his trust in Gene. Finny isn’t able to face the idea that Gene caused the accident, so when Gene finally confesses, Finny reacts defensively and tries to push back against what he’s hearing. He resists the guilt by labeling Gene as crazy, effectively dismissing the confession rather than accepting it. This shows how fragile Finny’s sense of reality is in this moment and how hard it is for him to admit that his closest friend could hurt him or let him down.

This reaction stands in contrast to immediate forgiveness, which would require Finny to accept the truth and move forward. It also isn’t simply that he says Gene’s story is false, because his instinct is not to analyze or judge the details but to invalidate Gene’s character in the moment. Laughing wouldn’t fit the scene either, since the moment is charged with hurt and denial rather than a humorous response.