The Great Gatsby

Does Tom tery to keep his affair with Myrtle a secret? What does this say about him?

Chapter 2

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It becomes patently clear in Chapter Two  that Tom is both a bully and a hypocrite: he carries on a highly public affair, but feels compelled to beat his mistress in order to keep her in her place. The fact that Tom feels no guilt about his violence toward Myrtle (indeed, he seems incapable of feeling guilt at all) becomes pivotal in later chapters.

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http://www.gradesaver.com/the-great-gatsby/study-guide/summary-chapter-2