Thesis: In Henry Ibsen's A Doll House we see the major impact the minor character of Dr. Rank has on the plot and general reader understanding of the play.
             In Henry Ibsen's A Doll House we see the major impact the minor character of Dr. Rank has on the plot and general reader understanding of the play. Dr. Rank is a minor character of the play. Though he may not have a big part, he brings so much depth and understanding to the situations that are occurring in the play. Dr. Rank is a friend of the family and physician of Torvald. Dr. Rank is a corrupt force, both physically and morally.
             This play is set in the 1800's, and knowing this is important. It provides the backdrop for the theme of conflict within society that we see develops in the play. Dr. Rank is put into the story to develop the theme of conflict within society. His function in the play is to foreshadow, symbolize and reflect upon truth of life and society. He is also there to break down the barrier between appearance and reality.
             Foreshadowing, as Meyer defines it, is the introduction early in a story of verbal and dramatic hints that suggest what is to come later. When Dr. Rank is first introduced in Act I, the reader is immediately given insight into the conflict Nora will Face with Krogstad. Dr. Rank provides details into Krogstad's Past that will help in understanding his blackmail attempt later on. We see this when Dr.
             Rank says to Nora and Mrs. Linde, "Oh, it's a lawyer, Krogstad, a type you wouldn't know. His character is rotten to the root- but even he began chattering all-importantly about how he had to live" (1152).
             Dr. Rank also foreshadows the change of society that is constant throughout the play. The reader can see this in the statement Rank makes about the morally sick being forgiven. "That's the concept that's turning society into a sanat
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