EN
The article proposes a comparative reading of two novels: "American" of Henry James and "The Doll" of Bolesław Prus. The author argues that James’ novel published in Polish in 1878 could become an inspiration for Prus. The circle of problems of "American" and "The Doll" is focused around similar themes: the identity of a modern man and the patterns of masculinity and femininity. Both novelists show a mechanism of creation for idealistic fantasies.