A Doll's House: Annotated with Reviews from 1879-1900 characters

Appears from the start

Torvald's wife and the mother of three young children. She initially seems carefree and eager to please, but she has secretly borrowed money to fund the journey that restored her husband's health. Because she could not legally obtain the loan alone, she forged her dying father's signature and has been quietly repaying the debt from her allowance and small jobs.

Appears from the start

Nora's husband, recently appointed manager of a bank. He speaks to Nora with indulgent affection while controlling the household money and treating her as inexperienced. He values respectability and believes his new position requires him to remove employees whose conduct or familiarity might damage his authority.

Also known as Mrs Linde

Appears from the start

An old school friend of Nora's who has been widowed and left without money. Years earlier she gave up a relationship with Krogstad to marry a wealthier man and support her mother and younger brothers. Accustomed to work and responsibility, she asks Nora to help her find employment at Torvald's bank.

Appears from the start

A bank employee and moneylender whose reputation was damaged by an earlier act of forgery. He supplied Nora's secret loan and knows that she forged her father's signature on the bond. When Torvald plans to dismiss him, Krogstad uses that knowledge to pressure Nora into protecting his position.

Appears from the start

A close family friend and physician who visits the Helmers regularly. He is seriously ill because of a condition he attributes to his father's excesses, and he expects to die soon. His easy companionship with Nora contrasts with Torvald's patronizing manner.

Appears from the start

The Helmers' longtime nurse, who now cares for Nora's children after having raised Nora herself. She had to leave her own child to take domestic employment and accepts that sacrifice as a practical necessity.

Also known as Emmy

Appears from the start

Nora and Torvald's young daughter, one of the three children whose care is largely entrusted to Anne-Marie.

Appears from the start

One of Nora and Torvald's two young sons. He enters with his siblings and their nurse when Nora briefly joins the children's game.

Appears from the start

The younger of Nora and Torvald's sons, seen playing with his siblings under Anne-Marie's care.