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    American Assassin

    by Flynn, Vince
    “American Assassin” by Vince Flynn is a gripping thriller that introduces Mitch Rapp, a highly skilled counterterrorism operative. The novel follows Rapp’s recruitment and training by the CIA after a personal tragedy fuels his desire for vengeance. Tasked with infiltrating and dismantling terrorist networks, Rapp’s relentless pursuit of justice highlights themes of patriotism, revenge, and moral ambiguity. Flynn’s meticulous research and fast-paced narrative offer a realistic portrayal of covert operations, making it a standout in the espionage genre. The book’s significance lies in its exploration of the psychological toll of warfare and the complexities of modern counterterrorism efforts.
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    American Assassin

    Chapter 39

    by Flynn, Vince

    In Chap­ter 39 of *Amer­i­can Assas­sin*, Rapp and Hur­ley con­front Dorf­man, a banker sus­pect­ed of aid­ing ter­ror­ists, in a tense and bru­tal inter­ro­ga­tion. Rapp threat­ens Dorfman’s poo­dle with a knife, exploit­ing the man’s emo­tion­al attach­ment to force him to open a hid­den safe. Dorf­man relents, reveal­ing the safe’s con­tents, which include incrim­i­nat­ing evi­dence link­ing him to Nazi affil­i­a­tions and ter­ror­ist financ­ing. Hur­ley exe­cutes Dorf­man, jus­ti­fy­ing it as nec­es­sary to their mis­sion, and the duo pre­pares to leave for Zurich to pur­sue fur­ther leads. The scene under­scores the ruth­less tac­tics employed by the oper­a­tives and the moral ambi­gu­i­ties of their work.

    The chap­ter then shifts to Moscow, intro­duc­ing Ivanov, a cor­rupt SVR offi­cer who lever­ages his posi­tion for per­son­al gain. Ivanov reflects on a lucra­tive gas deal he facil­i­tat­ed, com­par­ing his meth­ods to those in *The God­fa­ther*. He views post-Sovi­et Rus­sia as a law­less land­scape where pow­er and mon­ey dom­i­nate, and he posi­tions him­self as a fix­er for for­eign investors, demand­ing a 10% stake in all deals. Ivanov ratio­nal­izes his cor­rup­tion as a nec­es­sary evil, claim­ing he pro­tects Russia’s resources from exploita­tion while enrich­ing him­self. His arro­gance and enti­tle­ment are evi­dent as he dis­miss­es younger com­peti­tors.

    Ivanov’s world­view is fur­ther explored as he con­trasts the inef­fi­cien­cies of the Sovi­et sys­tem with the cut­throat cap­i­tal­ism of mod­ern Rus­sia. He crit­i­cizes the old regime’s incom­pe­tence but acknowl­edges the lin­ger­ing cor­rup­tion in courts, police, and secu­ri­ty ser­vices. Despite this, he thrives in the chaos, offer­ing “solu­tions” to those will­ing to pay. His assis­tant, Shvets, enters the scene, high­light­ing Ivanov’s irri­ta­ble and hun­gover state, which con­trasts with Shvets’ com­posed demeanor. Their inter­ac­tion reveals Ivanov’s para­noia about appear­ing weak, espe­cial­ly to younger col­leagues.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Ivanov prepar­ing for his next move, pos­si­bly involv­ing a trip to Beirut, while Shvets assists with con­tract details. The nar­ra­tive paints a pic­ture of a man entrenched in cor­rup­tion, nav­i­gat­ing a world where loy­al­ty and bru­tal­i­ty are cur­ren­cy. The par­al­lel sto­ries of Rapp’s vio­lent mis­sion and Ivanov’s schem­ing illus­trate the broad­er themes of pow­er, moral­i­ty, and the lengths indi­vid­u­als will go to achieve their goals in a moral­ly ambigu­ous world.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Rapp use psychological tactics to extract information from Dorfman, and what does this reveal about Dorfman’s character?

      Answer:
      Rapp employs psychological torture by threatening Dorfman’s poodle with a knife, forcing him to choose which eye to target. This cruel but effective method preys on Dorfman’s emotional attachment to his dog, which outweighs his loyalty to his wife or his resistance to Rapp’s demands. The scene reveals Dorfman’s moral contradictions: he aids terrorists financially yet prioritizes his pet over human lives. His breakdown—bawling, relenting, and physically shielding the dog—exposes his vulnerability and skewed priorities, contrasting his earlier defiance about his “businessman” facade (e.g., “I know nothing of such things”).

      2. Compare the ethical dilemmas faced by Rapp and Hurley during the interrogation. How do their reactions reflect their operational styles?

      Answer:
      Rapp hesitates, questioning if he “had the stomach” for harming the dog, and notices Hurley’s silent plea to stop, suggesting moral discomfort with animal cruelty. However, Hurley shows no such qualms about executing Dorfman, coldly stating, “I’m only doing my job” before shooting him. This contrast highlights Rapp’s lingering humanity versus Hurley’s utilitarian ruthlessness. Hurley’s focus on results (“Jackpot!”) and immediate transition to the next mission (“Let’s get the fuck out of here”) underscores his efficiency, while Rapp’s muttered disbelief at Dorfman’s priorities hints at deeper ethical unease.

      3. Analyze Ivanov’s worldview in the Moscow section. How does he justify his corruption, and what historical parallels does he draw?

      Answer:
      Ivanov rationalizes his corruption as a natural response to post-Soviet chaos, comparing Russia to The Godfather and the “Wild West.” He argues that the Soviet system stifled talent through nepotism, while the new economy rewards initiative—though he exploits it by extorting 10% stakes from foreign investors. His self-justification centers on “delivering real results” and protecting Russia’s resources from “twenty-five-year-old business-school graduates.” The parallel to organized crime (“make him an offer he couldn’t refuse”) reveals his cynical embrace of power dynamics, viewing himself as both a patriot and a profiteer in a lawless system.

      4. What thematic connections exist between the Dorfman and Ivanov segments regarding power and morality?

      Answer:
      Both segments explore moral compromise in pursuit of power. Dorfman, a “Nazi prick” who aids terrorists, clings to the illusion of being “just a businessman,” yet his empathy is reserved for his dog. Ivanov, meanwhile, frames his extortion as a service, claiming to protect Russia while enriching himself. Both characters embody hypocrisy: Dorfman’s selective compassion and Ivanov’s nationalist rhetoric mask greed. The chapter critiques systems (banking, post-Soviet politics) that enable such behavior, suggesting power often corrupts through rationalization (e.g., Ivanov’s “10% ownership” rule).

      5. How does the chapter use violence as a tool for both interrogation and systemic control? Provide examples.

      Answer:
      Violence operates on personal and systemic levels. Rapp’s knife threat is a targeted tool to break Dorfman, exploiting emotional weakness rather than physical pain. Hurley’s execution, in contrast, is a blunt assertion of control—eliminating a liability. In Moscow, Ivanov’s implied violence (“make him an offer he couldn’t refuse”) maintains his economic dominance, mirroring state-sponsored coercion. The juxtaposition shows violence as adaptable: intimate (the dog) for persuasion, public (Dorfman’s death) for deterrence, and structural (Ivanov’s threats) for sustaining power hierarchies. Each act reinforces the theme that authority, whether covert ops or capitalism, relies on force.

    Quotes

    • 1. ““Left eye or right eye? You choose.””

      This chilling quote captures Rapp’s ruthless interrogation tactic, using the threat against Dorfman’s dog to break his resistance. It exemplifies the moral ambiguity and psychological warfare in counterterrorism operations.

      2. ““You care more about that damn dog than you do your wife… don’t you?””

      This revealing statement highlights the twisted priorities of their target, a Nazi-sympathizing banker who aids terrorists. It underscores the chapter’s exploration of moral corruption and misplaced loyalties.

      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 insightful commentary from Ivanov’s perspective exposes the cynical reality of post-Soviet Russia, drawing parallels between communist corruption and capitalist gangsterism. It frames the novel’s geopolitical critique.

      4. ““The game, though, was a treacherous one. Remnants of the Soviet system were still in place, sucking off the system and causing a huge drain on the efficiency of the new economy.””

      This quote perfectly captures Ivanov’s worldview as a corrupt SVR officer exploiting Russia’s transition period. It illustrates the novel’s theme of institutional decay and opportunistic power grabs.

      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 rationalization reveals Ivanov’s self-serving nationalism and entitlement, showing how former KGB officers repurposed communist rhetoric for personal enrichment in the new Russia.

    Quotes

    1. ““Left eye or right eye? You choose.””

    This chilling quote captures Rapp’s ruthless interrogation tactic, using the threat against Dorfman’s dog to break his resistance. It exemplifies the moral ambiguity and psychological warfare in counterterrorism operations.

    2. ““You care more about that damn dog than you do your wife… don’t you?””

    This revealing statement highlights the twisted priorities of their target, a Nazi-sympathizing banker who aids terrorists. It underscores the chapter’s exploration of moral corruption and misplaced loyalties.

    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 insightful commentary from Ivanov’s perspective exposes the cynical reality of post-Soviet Russia, drawing parallels between communist corruption and capitalist gangsterism. It frames the novel’s geopolitical critique.

    4. ““The game, though, was a treacherous one. Remnants of the Soviet system were still in place, sucking off the system and causing a huge drain on the efficiency of the new economy.””

    This quote perfectly captures Ivanov’s worldview as a corrupt SVR officer exploiting Russia’s transition period. It illustrates the novel’s theme of institutional decay and opportunistic power grabs.

    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 rationalization reveals Ivanov’s self-serving nationalism and entitlement, showing how former KGB officers repurposed communist rhetoric for personal enrichment in the new Russia.

    FAQs

    1. How does Rapp use psychological tactics to extract information from Dorfman, and what does this reveal about Dorfman’s character?

    Answer:
    Rapp employs psychological torture by threatening Dorfman’s poodle with a knife, forcing him to choose which eye to target. This cruel but effective method preys on Dorfman’s emotional attachment to his dog, which outweighs his loyalty to his wife or his resistance to Rapp’s demands. The scene reveals Dorfman’s moral contradictions: he aids terrorists financially yet prioritizes his pet over human lives. His breakdown—bawling, relenting, and physically shielding the dog—exposes his vulnerability and skewed priorities, contrasting his earlier defiance about his “businessman” facade (e.g., “I know nothing of such things”).

    2. Compare the ethical dilemmas faced by Rapp and Hurley during the interrogation. How do their reactions reflect their operational styles?

    Answer:
    Rapp hesitates, questioning if he “had the stomach” for harming the dog, and notices Hurley’s silent plea to stop, suggesting moral discomfort with animal cruelty. However, Hurley shows no such qualms about executing Dorfman, coldly stating, “I’m only doing my job” before shooting him. This contrast highlights Rapp’s lingering humanity versus Hurley’s utilitarian ruthlessness. Hurley’s focus on results (“Jackpot!”) and immediate transition to the next mission (“Let’s get the fuck out of here”) underscores his efficiency, while Rapp’s muttered disbelief at Dorfman’s priorities hints at deeper ethical unease.

    3. Analyze Ivanov’s worldview in the Moscow section. How does he justify his corruption, and what historical parallels does he draw?

    Answer:
    Ivanov rationalizes his corruption as a natural response to post-Soviet chaos, comparing Russia to The Godfather and the “Wild West.” He argues that the Soviet system stifled talent through nepotism, while the new economy rewards initiative—though he exploits it by extorting 10% stakes from foreign investors. His self-justification centers on “delivering real results” and protecting Russia’s resources from “twenty-five-year-old business-school graduates.” The parallel to organized crime (“make him an offer he couldn’t refuse”) reveals his cynical embrace of power dynamics, viewing himself as both a patriot and a profiteer in a lawless system.

    4. What thematic connections exist between the Dorfman and Ivanov segments regarding power and morality?

    Answer:
    Both segments explore moral compromise in pursuit of power. Dorfman, a “Nazi prick” who aids terrorists, clings to the illusion of being “just a businessman,” yet his empathy is reserved for his dog. Ivanov, meanwhile, frames his extortion as a service, claiming to protect Russia while enriching himself. Both characters embody hypocrisy: Dorfman’s selective compassion and Ivanov’s nationalist rhetoric mask greed. The chapter critiques systems (banking, post-Soviet politics) that enable such behavior, suggesting power often corrupts through rationalization (e.g., Ivanov’s “10% ownership” rule).

    5. How does the chapter use violence as a tool for both interrogation and systemic control? Provide examples.

    Answer:
    Violence operates on personal and systemic levels. Rapp’s knife threat is a targeted tool to break Dorfman, exploiting emotional weakness rather than physical pain. Hurley’s execution, in contrast, is a blunt assertion of control—eliminating a liability. In Moscow, Ivanov’s implied violence (“make him an offer he couldn’t refuse”) maintains his economic dominance, mirroring state-sponsored coercion. The juxtaposition shows violence as adaptable: intimate (the dog) for persuasion, public (Dorfman’s death) for deterrence, and structural (Ivanov’s threats) for sustaining power hierarchies. Each act reinforces the theme that authority, whether covert ops or capitalism, relies on force.

    Note