A Doll’s House: Henrik Ibsen

A DOLL’S HOUSE HENRIK IBSEN

CHARACTERS Nora Helmer  The play’s protagonist

 Married to Torvald  Has been sheltered and babied by her father and now her husband  Inexperienced in the ways of the world

 Appears impulsive and materialistic

CHARACTERS Torvald Helmer  Nora’s husband of 8 years  A lawyer who has recently been promoted to bank manager  Focused on business  Sees himself as responsible for the financial welfare of his family and as a guardian for his wife

 Particularly concerned with morality  Comes across as stiff and unsympathetic

CHARACTERS Dr. Rank  Close friend of the family

 Torvald’s physician  Sick from consumption of the spine (congenital syphilis) as a result of his father’s exploits

CHARACTERS Mrs. Linde  An old schoolmate of Nora’s  Widow  Has worked hard to support her mother and younger brothers since the death of her husband but now her mother is dead and her brothers are grown  Pressed for money

 Asks Nora to help her secure a job at the bank  Was once in a romantic relationship with Krogstad

CHARACTERS

Nils Krogstad  Employee at the bank that Torvald has just taken over  Loaned Nora money for a trip to Italy  Involved in a work scandal many years previously

 Due to the scandal, his name was tarnished and his career stunted

CHARACTERS Anne-Marie  Raised Nora and has stayed on to look after Nora’s children

Helen  A housemaid employed by the Helmers