Characters - A Doll's House

Nora

The protagonist of the play and the wife of Torvald Helmer. She initially seems like a playful, naïve child who lacks knowledge of the world outside her home. She does have some worldly experience, however, and the small acts of rebellion in which she engages indicate that she is not as innocent or happy as she appears. She comes to see her position in her marriage with increasing clarity and finds the strength to free herself from her oppressive situation.

Torvald Helmer

Nora's husband. He delights in his new position at the bank, just as he delights in his position of authority as a husband. He treats Nora like a child, in a manner that is both kind and patronizing. He does not view Nora as an equal but rather as a plaything or doll to be teased and admired. In general, he is overly concerned with his place and status in society, and he allows his emotions to be swayed heavily by the prospect of society's respect and the fear of society's scorn.

Krogstad

A lawyer who went to school with Torvald and holds a subordinate position at Torvald's bank. His character is contradictory: though his bad deeds seem to stem from a desire to protect his children from scorn, he is perfectly willing to use unethical tactics to achieve his goals. His willingness to allow Nora to suffer is despicable, but his claims to feel sympathy for her and the hard circumstances of his own life compel us to sympathize with him to some degree.

Mrs. Kristine Linde

Nora's childhood friend. She is a practical, down-to-earth woman, and her sensible worldview highlights Nora's somewhat childlike outlook on life. Her account of her life of poverty underscores the privileged nature of the life that Nora leads. Also, we learn that she took responsibility for her sick parent, whereas Nora abandoned her father when he was ill.

Dr. Rank

Torvald's best friend. he stands out as the one character in the play who is by and large unconcerned with what others think of him. He is also notable for his stoic acceptance of his fate. Unlike Torvald and Nora, he admits to the diseased nature (literally, in his case) of his life. For the most part, he avoids talking to Torvald about his imminent death out of respect for Torvald's distaste for ugliness.

Ivar, Emmy, Bob

Nora and Torvald's three small children. In her brief interaction with her children, Nora shows herself to be a loving mother. She later refuses to spend time with her children because she fears she may morally corrupt them.

Anne-Marie

The Helmers' nanny. She seems to be a kindly woman who has genuine affection for Nora. She had to give up her own daughter in order to take the nursing job offered by Nora's father. Thus, she shares with Nora and Mrs. Linde the act of sacrificing her own happiness out of economic necessity.

Nora's father

Though Nora's father is dead before the action of the play begins, the characters refer to him throughout the play. Though she clearly loves and admires her father, Nora also comes to blame him for contributing to her subservient position in life.

Helene

The Helmers' maid. Her primary role in the play is the admit visitors as they come and go.