A Doll's House Characters

Krogstad (In-Depth Analysis) Krogstad is the antagonist in A Doll's House, but he is not necessarily a villain. Though his willingness to allow Nora's torment to continue is cruel, Krogstad is not without sympathy for her. As he says, "Even money-lenders, hacks, well, a man like me, can have a little of what you call feeling, you know." He visits Nora to check on her, and he discourages her from committing suicide. Moreover, Krogstad has …

…true personality. She defies Torvald in small yet meaningful ways--by eating macaroons and then lying to him about it, for instance. She also swears, apparently just for the pleasure she derives from the minor rebellion against societal standards. As the drama unfolds, and as Nora's awareness of the truth about her life grows, her need for rebellion escalates. This need culminates in her walking out on her husband and children in order to find independence.