American Assassin
Chapter 46
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 to coerce him into opening a safe. Dorfman, emotionally distraught over his pet, eventually complies, revealing his prioritization of the dog over his wife. Inside the safe, Rapp and his partner Hurley find evidence linking Dorfman to Nazi affiliations and terrorist financing. Despite Dorfman’s claims of being a mere businessman, they execute him for his role in aiding terrorists, emphasizing his moral bankruptcy and the justice of their mission.
The narrative then shifts to Moscow, where Ivanov, a high-ranking SVR officer, reflects on a lucrative gas deal he secured through a mix of negotiation and intimidation. Drawing parallels to *The Godfather*, Ivanov views post-Soviet Russia as a lawless landscape where power and corruption dominate. He contrasts the inefficiencies of the Soviet system with the current cutthroat capitalism, where he thrives by leveraging his authority to “solve problems” for foreign investors, often demanding a 10% stake in their ventures as payment for his services.
Ivanov’s worldview is further explored as he justifies his actions as necessary for protecting Russia’s resources from exploitation by outsiders. He sees himself as a gatekeeper, deserving of wealth and power more than the young, inexperienced businessmen flooding the market. His arrogance is palpable as he dismisses competitors and revels in his self-proclaimed superiority. However, his hungover and irritable demeanor hints at the toll his lifestyle takes, even as he projects an image of unshakable control.
The chapter concludes with Ivanov’s assistant, Shvets, entering the scene, offering aspirin and updates on the Beirut mission. Ivanov’s reliance on Shvets underscores the duality of his character—both a ruthless operator and a man vulnerable to his vices. The juxtaposition of Rapp’s brutal efficiency and Ivanov’s corrupt machinations highlights the novel’s themes of power, morality, and the blurred lines between justice and vengeance in the world of espionage.
FAQs
1. How does Rapp use psychological tactics to extract information from Dorfman, and what does this reveal about their respective characters?
Answer:
Rapp employs psychological torture by threatening Dorfman’s poodle with a knife, forcing the banker to reveal the safe combination. This tactic demonstrates Rapp’s pragmatic approach to interrogation—he recognizes Dorfman’s emotional attachment to the dog outweighs his loyalty to secrecy. Dorfman’s breakdown (“bawling like a child”) and immediate compliance highlight his vulnerability and prioritization of the dog over his own safety or principles. The scene also contrasts Rapp’s discomfort (“wasn’t sure he had the stomach for this”) with his willingness to cross moral boundaries for the mission, while Hurley’s hesitation suggests a nuanced ethical line even among operatives.
2. Analyze the symbolic significance of the Nazi artifacts found in Dorfman’s safe. How does this detail deepen the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The SS dagger and insignia label Dorfman as a “Nazi prick,” framing him as both a historical and contemporary villain. This symbolism connects his current collaboration with terrorists to a legacy of ideological violence, reinforcing the chapter’s exploration of moral corruption. The artifacts also justify Rapp and Hurley’s ruthless actions—Dorfman is portrayed as irredeemable, aligning with broader themes of justice versus vengeance. Additionally, the Nazi imagery contrasts ironically with Dorfman’s affection for his poodle, underscoring the hypocrisy of his character: a man capable of tenderness toward an animal yet complicit in terrorism.
3. Compare Ivanov’s worldview in Moscow to the actions of Rapp and Hurley in their mission. What do these parallel narratives suggest about power and corruption?
Answer:
Ivanov’s monologue reveals a cynical perspective on post-Soviet Russia, comparing it to The Godfather and the Wild West, where power flows through corruption and coercion. Like Rapp and Hurley, he operates outside legal norms, leveraging violence (e.g., threatening Shvets’s “crew”) for financial gain. Both narratives depict systems where traditional morality is irrelevant—Rapp tortures for intelligence, Ivanov exploits “inefficiencies” for profit. The parallel suggests a universal theme: power, whether in espionage or capitalism, often requires morally ambiguous tactics, blurring lines between heroism and criminality.
4. Why does Hurley kill Dorfman after obtaining the files, and how does this decision reflect the operational ethics of their mission?
Answer:
Hurley executes Dorfman to eliminate a witness and reinforce the mission’s ruthlessness. His justification—”I’m only doing my job”—mirrors Dorfman’s earlier excuse (“just a businessman”), highlighting the hypocrisy both sides employ. The killing underscores the operatives’ cold efficiency: Dorfman’s value expired once the files were secured. This act also contrasts with Rapp’s hesitation earlier, illustrating Hurley’s hardened demeanor. Ethically, it raises questions about extrajudicial justice; the team acts as judge, jury, and executioner, prioritizing results over due process.
5. How does the chapter portray the tension between professionalism and personal morality in intelligence work? Provide examples.
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes Rapp’s discomfort with torturing the dog (“wasn’t sure he had the stomach”) against his professional obligation to proceed, revealing the conflict between empathy and duty. Hurley’s “pleading” look suggests similar reservations, yet both compartmentalize these feelings to complete the mission. Conversely, Ivanov rationalizes corruption as a “natural extension” of his state role, showing how ideology can justify amorality. These examples illustrate the broader tension in intelligence work: operatives must often suppress personal ethics to achieve objectives, risking moral desensitization (e.g., Rapp’s quip about the “poodle-loving Nazi”).
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, showing his moral hesitation while justifying extreme methods for the mission’s success. It reflects the brutal pragmatism of counterterrorism work.
2. ““A poodle-loving Nazi who helps terrorists. Great.””
This sardonic remark encapsulates the chapter’s theme of moral contradictions, highlighting how villains can have humanizing traits while committing atrocities. It underscores the complexity of judging enemies.
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 powerful comparison reveals Ivanov’s cynical worldview about post-Soviet Russia, equating communism with capitalism in their shared corruption. It serves as the chapter’s political thesis about power structures.
4. ““The game, though, was a treacherous one. Remnants of the Soviet system were still in place… It was The Godfather, the Wild West, and 1920s gangster America all rolled into one.””
This vivid metaphor explains the chaotic state of Russian capitalism through cultural references, showing how Ivanov navigates this lawless environment. It’s key to understanding the geopolitical backdrop.
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 exposes Ivanov’s self-justification for corruption, blending nationalism with personal greed. It perfectly captures the character’s hypocritical rationalizations.