In his confession, Dr. Rank reveals his love for Nora to be more honest and real, as the emotion evolved while actually spending time with her.
At first, Nora's interaction with Dr. Rank is similarly manipulative. When she flirts with him by showing her stockings, it seems that she hopes to entice Dr. Rank and then persuade him to speak to Torvald about keeping Krogstad on at the bank.
Rank reveals to Nora Helmer that he is both ill and in love with her. His tuberculosis of the spine symbolizes the decay of society. He tells Nora that he does not want Torvald Helmer (her husband) to see him in decline, so he'll send her a message with a black cross on it to indicate that his time is almost up.
Rank calls Krogstad “morally sick.” He also informs the women that Krogstad has a small, subordinate position at the bank. Nora offers a macaroon to Dr. Rank, who says that he thought macaroons were banned in the Helmer house.
Rank's talk of moral disease and his own affliction are often cited as symbolic. He has tuberculosis of the spine. This could possibly be meant to represent the diseased backbone of unenlightened society, a society where men and women don't live as equals. His death also could be seen as symbolic.
Why is Doctor Rank jealous of Mrs. Linde? He says Mrs. Linde will take his place as the Helmers' friend.
Rank's treatment of Nora is that of an adult, whilst Torvald's is of a child. Further into the play, it can be seen how Nora feels comfortable in Rank's presence and shares insight on personal details about herself that she would think twice before sharing with Torvald.
Rank's explanation for not wanting Torvald to enter his sickroom—”Torvald is so fastidious, he cannot face up to anything ugly”—suggests that Dr. Rank feels Torvald must be sheltered like a child from the realities of the world. Furthermore, Torvald reveals himself to be childishly petty at times.
Rank arrives. He has come, he says, to tell her that he has one more month left to live.
Like Nora, Krogstad is a person who has been wronged by society, and both Nora and Krogstad have committed the same crime: forgery of signatures.
What secret has Nora been keeping from Torvald? She was in love with his brother before she married him.
Nora is the main character of the play, and we get to find out about her secret when Mrs. Linde comes to have a chat with her. It appears that Nora borrowed a large sum of money from Krogstad to pay for the trip to Italy. It was the only chance to help Torvald improve his health.
Dr. Rank is a doctor who is best friends with Torvald and Nora, who he visits every day. Dr. Rank suffers from spinal tuberculosis, a condition he believes was caused by his father's vices, which included having extramarital affairs and consuming too much luxurious food and drink.
In A Doll's House, Nora removes a pair of silk stockings from a box and playfully shows Dr. Rank these "unmentionables." She flirts with him by giving him permission to look at her legs (a very shocking offer, indeed!).
Tarantella is therefore a symbol of Nora's constraining illusions that belong to her previous life and, at the same time, a symbol of her aware destruction of them in order to be free. It means that we are in front of a transformation from an old existence to a new one.
Torvald Helmer
Nora's husband. Torvald delights in his new position at the bank, just as he delights in his position of authority as a husband.
This man, Nils Krogstad, is the person from whom Nora has borrowed her money. It is then revealed that she forged her father's signature in order to get the money.
Rank puts two cards with black crosses in the mailbox, announcing his impending death.
Mrs. Linde, as she is generally known to the other characters, is an old friend of Nora's. She is a woman whose marriage was loveless, and based on a need for financial security, and who doesn't have any children.
While speaking with Nora, Dr. Rank confesses his love for her, adding that Torvald is not the only man who would make sacrifices for her. In the end, however, we learn that Torvald does not even consider sacrificing himself for Nora.
Dr. Rank (Male age 30-50)—Medical doctor who is an old family friend of Nora and Torvald.
Rank? She tells Nora that she should stop talking to Dr. Rank because Nora tells Rank more of her secrets than her husband and Dr. Rank is wealthy and single.
Nora and Ren have been together ever since the attack on Kuroyuri which happened when they were both very young. At some point during this time, Nora began to develop feelings for Ren but is quick to dismiss any idea of them being "together-together".
Nora is the secondary antagonist of the Japanese anime and manga series, Noragami. She is a Regalia who has served under many different gods, and so is referred to as a stray by gods and other Regalias, hence the name 'Nora'.
Rank uses the expression differently: Krogstad is 'a moral cripple' (Act One, p. 39) – an individual damaged by his own actions, to whom society should behave with limited compassion. He argues with Mrs Linde's about society's responsibility to care for those 'sick' in this way (p. 40).