1.) The purpose of Meyer Wolfsheim is to make us wonder some more about the already mysterious Gatsby. How exactly did he get his money? Was it through seedy business deals with Wolfsheim? This affects the way we see Gatsby in that he seems less like a respectable, well-to-do man and more of a shady character. After all, why would such a rich, well-known guy like Gatsby hang out with a man like Wolfsheim, who rigged the World Series?
2.) The backstory about Jay and Daisy's past shows that Gatsby is definitely not the type to get over a girl easily. When he falls in love, he falls hard. This shows that he is a very dedicated man (seeing as how he has feelings only for Daisy) and that in that same vein he is very narrow-minded when it comes to love - the only girl he wants is her.
3.) Detailing the rest of Gatsby's past shows that he lived a very dynamic life - not only did he go to Oxford, he also fought in World War I. It changes our impression of him in that it makes us think of him as a very well-rounded man. Not only did he go to a very prestigious school, he was also given a medal in a very important war. So, he is a scholar and a war hero, which is a very positive thing in our society.
4.) I personally like Gatsby more. He's led a very interesting life and continues to do so, given his lavish parties. This is pretty cheesy, but I also like the fact that he's so completely dedicated to Daisy and absolutely head-over-heels in love with her. It's not too often that you see a man completely enamored to the point of mortification like with Gatsby - usually it's the woman who's tripping over herself when she's madly in love with a guy. This adds an emotional depth to Gatsby that we don't really see otherwise. Comparing the way he acts around Daisy to the way he acts the rest of the time, he seems like a cardboard cutout of a rich man going through the motions. His affections for Daisy make him more real and therefore likable.
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