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Character List:

Nora Helmer: Main character of play. Nora has never lived alone, going immediately from the care of her father to that of her husband. Inexperienced in the ways of the world as a result of this sheltering, Nora is impulsive and materialistic. However, the play questions the extent to which these are mere masks that Nora uses to negotiate the patriarchal oppression she faces every day. Over the course of the three Acts, Nora emerges as a fully independent woman who rejects both the false union of her marriage and the burden of motherhood.

Torvald Helmer: Husband of Nora Helmer of eight years who, at the beginning of the play, has been promoted to manager of the bank. Torvald has built his middle-class living through his own work and not from family money. Focused on business, Torvald spends a great deal of his time at home in his study, avoiding general visitors and interacting very little with his children. In fact, he sees himself primarily as responsible for the financial welfare of his family and as a guardian for his wife. Torvald is particularly concerned with morality.

Dr. Rank: Friend of the family and physician of Torvald, Dr. Rank embodies and subverts the theatrical role of the male moral force that had been traditional in the plays of the time. Rather than providing moral guidance and example for the rest of the characters, Dr. Rank is a corrupt force, both physically and morally. Sick from consumption of the spine as a result of his father's sexual exploits, the Doctor confesses his desire for Nora in the second Act and goes off to die in the third.

Mrs. Christine Linde: An old schoolmate of Nora's, Christine comes back into Nora's life after losing her husband and mother. Pressed for money, Christine successfully asks Nora to help her secure a job at Torvald's bank; ultimately, Christine decides that she will only be happy if she goes off with Krogstad. Christine's older, weary viewpoint provides a foil for Nora's youthful impetuousness as well as a symbol of the ultimate hollowness of the matriarchal role. Her relationship with Krogstad also provides a point of comparison for that of Nora and Torvald.

Nils Krogstad: Man from whom Nora borrows money to pay for trip to Italy and an employee at the bank with Torvald. Krogstad was involved in a work scandal many years previously; as a result, his name has been sullied and his career stunted. When his job at the bank is jeopardized by Torvald's refusal to work with a man he sees as a hopelessly corrupt, Krogstad blackmails Nora to ensure that he does not lose his job. However, after being reunited with Mrs. Linde (an early amorous connection), he repents and sends back the bond.

Three children (Ivar, Bob, and Emmy): Nora's young children. Raised primarily by Anne, the Nurse (and Nora's old Nurse), the children spend little time with their mother or father. The time they do spend with Nora consists of Nora playing with them as if she were just another playmate.

Anne: The family Nurse. Anne raised Nora, who had lost her mother, and stayed on to raise Nora's children.

Helen: A Housemaid

From: http://www.classicnote.com

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