Secondary Characters in A Doll's House
The secondary characters in Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" serve as crucial mirrors and foils to the main characters, while also driving the plot forward and highlighting the play's central themes. Let's explore these important supporting roles and their significance.
Dr. Rank
Dr. Rank serves as both a confidant and a moral compass in the play. His terminal illness becomes a metaphor for the decay of society's moral fabric.
NoteDr. Rank's inherited syphilis (his "spinal consumption") symbolically represents how the sins of the fathers are visited upon their children, a recurring theme in the play.
Key characteristics:
- Provides honest friendship to Nora, contrasting with the superficial relationships in her life
- His unrequited love for Nora adds complexity to her character development
- His impending death creates urgency and helps precipitate the play's climax
"We who are already bankrupt. We poor mortals."
Mrs. Kristine Linde
Kristine Linde functions as both a parallel and contrast to Nora's character:
- Her practical approach to life contrasts with Nora's initially romantic worldview
- Her past sacrifice of love for family duty mirrors Nora's sacrifice for Torvald
- She serves as a catalyst for the plot by revealing Krogstad's identity
Pay attention to how Mrs. Linde's reunion with Krogstad serves as a counterpoint to Nora and Torvald's marriage breakdown.
Nils Krogstad
Though initially presented as an antagonist, Krogstad is a complex character who mirrors Nora's situation:
- Both have committed forgery
- Both are fighting for their reputation and children's future
