preview

A Doll 's House By Henrik Ibsen

Better Essays

Dr. Rank says in reference to himself, “[Rank]…leave behind… nothing but an empty place which the first comer can fill as well as any other.” (Ibsen 47). With these words it is implied that he is essentially inconsequential. Although Rank does not greatly affect the happenings of the play and appears to be a relatively superfluous character, he helps set the mood and the progression of his illness runs alongside the predominant story. Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House takes place after a woman, Nora, illegally takes a loan. She then struggles to hide it when the lender, Krogstad, threatens to reveal her crime to her husband, Torvald Helmer. Dr. Rank appears to play a minor role in the story but his illness is a highly underrated element. Dr. Rank plays an important role in A Doll’s House through his companionship with Nora, his illness and his choices. Ibsen’s elaboration of Doctor Rank’s role is vital as it helps accentuate major plot points, develop characters and progress the plot.
The first message Rank’s illness reinforces is the health of the Helmer’s marriage. When Rank is first introduced his illness is not at all addressed and Nora and Helmer simply talk of his coming to their party (Ibsen 9). Rank is mentioned briefly and is only given the identity of a doctor and a friend but his illness is untouched. Rank seems to be a perfectly fine gentleman just as the Helmer’s appear to have a healthy marriage. Later, soon after finding out that Nora has been keeping a secret

Get Access