American Assassin
Chapter 38
by Flynn, VinceThe chapter opens with a tense scene where Rapp, an operative, threatens a banker named Dorfman by holding a knife to his dog’s eye. Dorfman, emotionally distraught, relents and opens his safe to reveal Nazi memorabilia, confirming his ties to terrorist financiers. Rapp and his partner Hurley retrieve critical files and disks, exposing Dorfman’s role in aiding terrorists. Despite Dorfman’s pleas that he was merely a businessman, Hurley executes him, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. The duo then prepares to leave for Zurich, hinting at their next mission involving financial networks.
Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to Moscow, where Ivanov, a corrupt SVR officer, reflects on a lucrative gas deal secured through intimidation. He compares post-Soviet Russia to *The Godfather*, highlighting the pervasive corruption and power struggles. Ivanov prides himself on leveraging his position to exploit foreign investors, demanding a 10% stake in their ventures. He justifies his actions as necessary to protect Russia’s resources, though his motives are clearly self-serving. The chapter underscores the chaotic blend of capitalism and criminality in the new Russian economy.
Ivanov’s arrogance is further illustrated as he interacts with his subordinate, Shvets, who brings him water and aspirin after a night of revelry. Ivanov’s headache mirrors his frustration with the evolving power dynamics, fearing any display of weakness. The conversation reveals Ivanov’s disdain for the younger generation while also hinting at his reliance on them. The scene closes with Shvets preparing to travel to Beirut, suggesting another layer of intrigue and corruption in Ivanov’s operations.
The chapter juxtaposes two parallel storylines: Rapp’s ruthless efficiency in dismantling terrorist financial networks and Ivanov’s exploitative maneuvers in Russia’s shadow economy. Both narratives explore themes of power, corruption, and moral ambiguity. Rapp’s mission is driven by a sense of justice, however brutal, while Ivanov’s actions are purely self-interested. The contrast highlights the global scale of the novel’s conflict, where operatives and oligarchs alike navigate a world where loyalty and morality are often secondary to survival and profit.
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 target. This extreme tactic exploits Dorfman’s emotional attachment to his dog, revealing that he values the animal more than his own safety or his wife’s well-being. When Dorfman finally breaks and opens the safe to save the dog, Rapp remarks on this twisted priority, highlighting Dorfman’s moral ambiguity. The scene underscores how unconventional methods can be effective in interrogation, especially when targeting an individual’s vulnerabilities (e.g., emotional attachments).
2. Analyze the parallels Ivanov draws between post-Soviet Russia and The Godfather. How does this comparison reflect his worldview?
Answer:
Ivanov likens modern Russia to The Godfather, describing it as a corrupt system where power and money dominate. He views both the Soviet Union and the new capitalist Russia as fundamentally corrupt, but the latter offers dynamic opportunities for personal gain. By referencing the film, Ivanov justifies his role as a fixer who “makes problems go away” for foreign investors—mirroring a mafia don’s control. His admiration for Coppola’s portrayal of power reveals his cynical worldview: he sees himself as a necessary player in a lawless environment where brute force and manipulation are tools for success.
3. What ethical dilemmas arise in this chapter, and how do the characters justify their actions?
Answer:
Two key dilemmas emerge: Rapp’s torture of an animal for information and Ivanov’s exploitation of Russia’s chaotic economy. Rapp hesitates but rationalizes his actions as necessary to stop terrorists, while Hurley’s discomfort suggests moral unease. Ivanov, meanwhile, defends his corruption by claiming he “deserves” profits more than foreign investors, framing his greed as patriotism. Both scenarios explore utilitarian justifications—characters commit unethical acts for perceived greater goods (national security or economic control), blurring lines between righteousness and ruthlessness.
4. Compare the motivations of Rapp (a covert operative) and Ivanov (a corrupt official). How do their goals reflect their environments?
Answer:
Rapp operates in a shadowy world of counterterrorism, where brutal efficiency is valued over morality. His goal—extracting terrorist financing data—aligns with a mission-driven, ends-justify-means mindset. Ivanov, however, thrives in post-Soviet chaos, where his goals are personal enrichment and power. While Rapp serves a broader (if ambiguous) cause, Ivanov serves himself, exploiting systemic corruption. Both environments reward ruthlessness, but Rapp’s actions are externally directed (against threats), whereas Ivanov’s are self-serving, reflecting his society’s institutional decay.
5. How does the chapter portray the theme of power, and what methods do characters use to wield it?
Answer:
Power is depicted as multifaceted: Rapp wields physical and psychological intimidation, Ivanov manipulates systems, and even Dorfman’s love for his dog becomes a lever for control. Rapp’s knife and gun symbolize brute force, while Ivanov’s “10% ownership” rule represents economic coercion. The chapter suggests power is amoral—whether through violence (Rapp), corruption (Ivanov), or emotional manipulation (Dorfman’s interrogation). Each character’s method reflects their context, from counterterrorism to capitalist exploitation, showing power’s adaptability to different arenas.
Quotes
1. ““Left eye or right eye? You choose.””
This chilling threat from Rapp to Dorfman’s dog encapsulates the brutal psychological tactics used in the interrogation, revealing how far operatives will go to extract information. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of moral boundaries in counterterrorism.
2. ““You care more about that damn dog than you do your wife…don’t you?””
Rapp’s incredulous observation highlights the twisted priorities of their target, while subtly questioning what values truly motivate people - a theme that recurs throughout the chapter’s examination of human nature under pressure.
3. ““That’s what Russia was all about in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union…Both were corrupt to the core, and both systems served to line the pockets of the powerful.””
This damning assessment of post-Soviet Russia provides crucial political context, comparing communist and capitalist corruption while foreshadowing Ivanov’s predatory business practices later in the chapter.
4. ““The game, though, was a treacherous one…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 business dealings, establishing the criminal underworld atmosphere that shapes Ivanov’s operations and worldview.
5. ““Someone needed to keep track of all these foreign investors…After all, he was far more deserving of the profits than some twenty-five-year-old business-school graduate.””
Ivanov’s self-justification reveals the rationalizations behind his corruption, blending nationalist rhetoric with personal greed - a key insight into the chapter’s exploration of power and entitlement.