Raná tvorba Philipa Rotha: Sbohem, město C., Ať se děje, co se děje — kritický ohlas a nástin interpretace

The study summarizes the first two Philip Roth’s books and their critical reception. Roth’s works are set in the context of the American society and literature of the late nineteen fiftieth and in the connection with Roth’s essay „Writing American Fiction“. Reading of Goodbye, Columbus as a story of Jew assimilation is refused; the crucial plot is the love story between Neil and Brenda. Both Roth’s books are interpreted through the well-known Roth’s interest in Henry James: the fundament for both books is Roth’s concern in his protagonists and their temperament and every action is subordinated to the portrayals of characters.