ortant character in the story because she may have been part of the driving force that pushed Nora to take action towards her independence.Mr. Rank, on the other hand, is helpful in understanding Mr. Helmer. Through out the play Torvald plays a very controlling husband, who treats his wife like his little “doll”. He likes her to dress up and makes her dance for him. And if she does this he will reward his “sweet little spendthrift” with treats like little allowances (1.47). Mr. Rank, on the contrary, is in love with Nora, and treats her as more of an equal. He can have conversations with her, and talks to her with more dignity and respect. We see this when Nora reminds Torvald that through out their entire marriage they had not “exchanged a word on any serious subject” (3.274). Mr. Rank, on the other hand, has many meaningful conversations with her and he enjoys them. He plays the man, who would be the better husband for Nora, because he could truly love her. When Nora is in trouble with the money that she owes Krogstad, she tells Christine that “a man can put a thing like that straight much easier than a woman” (2.70). However, she is by no means referring to her husband; she feels far more confident in asking Dr. Rank for help. He can be contrasted with Torvald, and it is quite evident that he loves Nora more than Torvald could. This realization allows us to understand why Nora would leave Torvald, and also permits the reader to side more easily with Nora when the time comes for her to leave him. The story would not have the same effect and would not emphasize its theme as much if Mrs. Linde and Dr. Rank were not present. Mrs. Linde shows Nora that she too can be independent. Nora was repressed by Torvald throughout their marriage, and when she sees how Christine is free, and perhaps how Dr. Rank does truly love her, she discovers her need to experience more of life. Torv...
