American Assassin
Chapter 35
by Flynn, VinceIn Chapter 35 of *American Assassin*, Rapp and Hurley confront Dorfman, a banker suspected of aiding terrorists, in a tense interrogation. Rapp threatens Dorfman’s poodle with a knife to coerce him into opening a safe, revealing his greater attachment to the dog than his wife. The safe contains incriminating evidence, including Nazi memorabilia and financial records linking Dorfman to terrorist activities. Despite Dorfman’s pleas that he was merely doing his job, Hurley executes him, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. The duo then prepares to leave for Zurich, hinting at further missions tied to financial networks supporting terrorism.
The chapter shifts to Moscow, introducing Ivanov, a corrupt SVR officer who leverages his position for personal gain. Fresh from closing a lucrative gas deal, Ivanov reflects on the parallels between post-Soviet Russia and *The Godfather*, where power and corruption dominate. He criticizes the inefficiencies of the Soviet system, contrasting it with the current chaotic yet profitable environment, where bribes and threats are tools of the trade. Ivanov prides himself on delivering results for foreign investors, demanding a 10% stake in their ventures as payment for his “services.”
Ivanov justifies his actions as a necessary evil in safeguarding Russia’s resources from exploitation, though his motives are clearly self-serving. He views himself as superior to both the incompetent Soviet bureaucrats and the young businessmen flooding the market. His assistant, Shvets, attends to his needs, but Ivanov’s hangover and irritability reveal his stress and paranoia about maintaining control. The chapter underscores the moral decay in both the financial and political spheres, with Ivanov embodying the ruthless opportunism of post-Soviet elites.
The narrative highlights the interconnected themes of power, corruption, and violence. Rapp and Hurley’s brutal methods contrast with Ivanov’s calculated greed, yet both scenarios expose the dark underbelly of global systems—terrorism financing and exploitative capitalism. The chapter sets the stage for further conflict, with Rapp heading to Zurich and Ivanov planning his next move, suggesting a collision of these worlds. The tone remains gritty and suspenseful, maintaining the novel’s tension and moral ambiguity.
FAQs
1. How does Rapp use psychological tactics to extract information from Dorfman, and what does this reveal about Dorfman’s priorities?
Answer:
Rapp employs psychological torture by threatening Dorfman’s poodle with a knife, forcing him to choose which eye to harm. This extreme tactic works because Dorfman values his dog more than his own safety or his wife’s well-being, as evidenced by his immediate compliance when the dog is threatened. The scene reveals Dorfman’s skewed priorities—he prioritizes his pet over human lives or ethical principles, which Rapp notes with disgust. This also underscores Rapp’s willingness to cross moral boundaries for mission success, though he hesitates, showing his internal conflict.2. Analyze the significance of Hurley’s discovery of Nazi memorabilia in Dorfman’s safe. How does this detail shape the reader’s perception of the banker?
Answer:
The SS dagger and insignia label Dorfman as a Nazi sympathizer, compounding his moral corruption. This historical connection frames him as not just a modern criminal but someone perpetuating ideologies of hatred. It justifies Rapp and Hurley’s ruthless actions by painting Dorfman as inherently villainous—a “poodle-loving Nazi who helps terrorists.” The artifacts also symbolize the hypocrisy of his character: he shows tenderness to his dog while enabling violence against humans. This detail reinforces the chapter’s theme of hidden brutality beneath civilized facades.3. Compare Ivanov’s worldview in Moscow with the actions of Rapp and Hurley in the previous scene. What parallels exist between their methods and motivations?
Answer:
Both Ivanov and the CIA operatives operate in morally gray zones, leveraging intimidation for results. Ivanov rationalizes his corruption as a natural extension of post-Soviet capitalism, claiming he “delivers real results” like Hurley does by stealing files. Both use violence (Hurley’s execution, Ivanov’s threats) to achieve goals, though Ivanov cloaks his in business rhetoric. The parallel to The Godfather underscores their shared belief in ends justifying means. However, Ivanov’s greed contrasts with Rapp’s counterterrorism mission, highlighting differing scales of justification.4. How does the chapter depict the ethical dilemmas faced by operatives like Rapp, and what internal conflicts does he exhibit?
Answer:
Rapp’s hesitation before harming the dog and his muttered disbelief at Dorfman’s priorities reveal his discomfort with torture, despite his proficiency. His question—”What the hell else were they going to do?“—shows pragmatic resignation rather than zeal. This contrasts with Hurley’s cold efficiency (killing Dorfman without hesitation), positioning Rapp as more morally conscious. The chapter forces readers to grapple with whether such tactics are justified against irredeemable figures like Dorfman, complicating the “hero” narrative.5. Evaluate Ivanov’s critique of post-Soviet Russia. How does his perspective reflect broader themes of power and corruption in the novel?
Answer:
Ivanov dismisses Soviet inefficiency but embraces its corrupt legacy, boasting that he cuts through “red tape” via extortion. His comparison to The Godfather and the “Wild West” paints Russia as lawless, where power flows through violence and connections. His 10% ownership demand mirrors the Soviet elite’s exploitation, now rebranded as capitalism. This mirrors Dorfman’s duality (Nazi banker)—both men represent systems where ideology masks greed. The novel thus critiques cyclical corruption, whether in finance, terrorism, or post-communist oligarchy.
Quotes
1. “Rapp wasn’t sure he had the stomach for this, but what the hell else were they going to do?”
This quote captures Rapp’s internal conflict during the interrogation scene, highlighting the moral ambiguity of his mission. It reflects the harsh realities of counterterrorism work where brutal tactics may be deemed necessary.
2. “You care more about that damn dog than you do your wife… don’t you?”
This biting remark reveals both the banker’s twisted priorities and Rapp’s disgust at his hypocrisy. The quote underscores the chapter’s exploration of moral corruption, showing how villains can still have humanizing vulnerabilities.
3. “The two systems were not, at the end of the day, all that different from each other. Both were corrupt to the core, and both systems served to line the pockets of the powerful.”
This powerful comparison between Soviet communism and post-Soviet capitalism forms the chapter’s central thesis about systemic corruption. Ivanov’s cynical worldview reveals how power structures ultimately serve the same self-interested ends regardless of ideology.
4. “It was The Godfather, the Wild West, and 1920s gangster America all rolled into one.”
This vivid metaphor perfectly captures the lawless environment of post-Soviet Russia that Ivanov exploits. The quote demonstrates how historical parallels help explain contemporary geopolitical realities.
5. “Someone needed to keep track of all these foreign investors and make sure they weren’t stealing the Motherland’s natural resources. After all, he was far more deserving of the profits than some twenty-five-year-old business-school graduate.”
This quote reveals Ivanov’s self-justification for his corruption, blending nationalism with personal greed. It exemplifies how those in power often rationalize their exploitation as patriotic duty.