Henrik Ibsen Character Analysis Essay

by Henrik Ibsen, Nora’s character’s layers become visible through the supporting roles in the play. The ways she behaves in the presence of Dr. Rank, Christina Linden, and Krogstad all unveil aspects that Nora keeps hidden from Helmer.Nora doesn’t want Helmer to view anything other than perfection. When Nora surrounds herself with the minor characters, her fears, vulnerability, and flaws are unveiled;They manifest features in Nora’s personality that Nora is afraid to express due to Helmer’s controlling nature. Nora’s behavior around Helmer is calculated and false, as opposed to her honesty and vulnerability with Ms.Linden. The first scene with Nora gives the reader a first impression and Nora’s behavior around Helmer. She is seen begging Helmer for money, accumulating wealth as her only priority. Helmer obliges and says “Just like your father- always on the look-out for all the money you can lay your hands on’ (3). Helmer’s response only further confirms the reader’s impression of Nora’s character and adds an explanation for her conduct; greed runs in her family. Soon after this interaction, Christina comes to visit …show more content…
Only through the paradox in the character foil regarding Christina and Nora, does it become evident that Nora is not living such an ideal life, but part of a crumbling marriage based on lies and manipulation. Krogstad’s appearance reveals Nora’s desperate attempts to save her reputation, even at the expense of her own life. He’s also to blame for Nora’s reevaluation of her role as a mother and her decision to leave her family. Doctor rank is Nora’s outlet, she is comfortable and more generally more rebellious, the macaroons symbolizing Nora’s defiance. Due to Nora’s inability to express herself without restraint, Ibsen meticulously creates these characters to take on the different aspects she would otherwise remain