There are moments in a person's life when reality reaches up and slaps you in the face. Nora and Torvald Helmer both have that experience in A Doll's House. Mrs. Linde, Dr. Rank and Krogstad add to the emotions and realization that boil to the surface.
             The women of A Doll's House are extremely family oriented. There is nothing more important to Nora and to Mrs. Linde. Nora obviously puts her family first. The forgery is an act of love and nothing else for her. Mrs. Linde's first marriage provided for her brothers and her invalid mother. She was willing to be the wife of a man she did not love to take care of her family. Both women had found good providers for their families.
             The men of the play are more aware of opinions outside of the home. Their reputation is everything to them. Torvald is successful and very well respected. Krogstad has ruined his reputation with the very crime that Nora has committed. Wives are more of a possession than anything else and not taken seriously. The men see the women as a way to add to their standing and reputation.
             Nora and Torvald Helmer are married but they don't understand each other. There is no friendship between the two. Dr. Rank fills this position for both of them. Nora is able to talk to Dr. Rank as she would never talk to her husband. She can share her thoughts with him. Torvald would never consider having discussions with Nora on anything of substance. Dr. Rank stops by each day to talk to Torvald. There is never meaningful conversation between husband and wife.
             Mrs. Linde has lived a hard life and knows that Nora is spoiled. Even with the debt to Krogstad, Nora is not aware of what hardships are. Nora is convinced that she has sacrificed to save her husband's life. Mrs. Linde comment of "So it all had to come out of your allowance? Oh poor Nora!" gives us a hint of sarcasm from a women who
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