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What does Nick mean when and why does he say this: "Angry as I was, as we all were, I was tempted to laugh whenever he opened his mouth. The...

Nick is basically noting (to himself) what a hypocrite Tom is. Tom is giving Gatsby a hard time because he knows that something is going on between Gatsby and Daisy, Tom's wife. Nick finds this amusing and hypocritical because Tom has been cheating on Daisy for a much longer time. This is why Nick says he is tempted to laugh every time Tom opens his mouth. Who knows what hypocritical thing Tom might say next?


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Nick is basically noting (to himself) what a hypocrite Tom is. Tom is giving Gatsby a hard time because he knows that something is going on between Gatsby and Daisy, Tom's wife. Nick finds this amusing and hypocritical because Tom has been cheating on Daisy for a much longer time. This is why Nick says he is tempted to laugh every time Tom opens his mouth. Who knows what hypocritical thing Tom might say next?


Nick notes that Tom illustrates a transition from libertine to prig. A libertine, in this context, is one who ignores social morality and responsibility, namely in sexual matters. Tom is a libertine in the sense that he cheats on his wife. Tom then becomes judgmental of Gatsby and Daisy, reprimanding them for having an affair. So, Tom is a libertine in his personal life, but he takes this stance as a prig, a self-righteous person who thinks he has the right to judge others. From a cheating husband to one who faults his wife for cheating, the "transition from libertine to prig was so complete." What makes Tom's self-righteous behavior even more hypocritical is the racist commentary Tom is also keen on making. 

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