What does Dr. Rank's character contribute to our understanding of Nora in A Doll's House?

Dr. Rank serves as dramatic foil to both Torvald and Nora. But more than that, his situation actually directly parallels Nora's own, which helps to portray the theme of injustice that's dominant in the play.

Dr. Rank serves as dramatic foil to Torvald in the way that he treats Nora as an equal while Torvald does not. It is evident in the very first act just how friendly Dr. Rank is with Nora. He is so friendly that he is even aware of Nora's school friends' names while Torvald is not. We see this when Dr. Rank is first introduced to Christine Linde and says to her, "I have often heard Mrs. Linde's name mentioned here" (I). Later, we learn that Dr. Rank knows Christine's name while Torvald does not because Torvald is so jealous of Nora that he can't even stand to hear her talk about her past acquaintances from home. So instead, Nora converses with Dr. Rank about her past friends and family. This level of familiarity and friendship that Dr. Rank has with Nora while her husband does not shows us just how much Torvald treats Nora as a possession rather than as an equal human being.

Dr. Rank also serves as Nora's dramatic foil in that Nora allows her rebellious side to show around Dr. Rank. In Dr. Rank's presence, Nora openly eats her macaroons and even offers them to Dr. Rank and Christine, even though Dr. Rank well knows that sweets are forbidden in the house. Also, in the presence of Dr. Rank, Nora dares to say something as "shocking" as "Well, I'm damned!" (I). Since Nora is rebellious around Dr. Rank, but obedient and submissive around Torvald, this shows us Dr. Rank acts as her dramatic foil.

However, more importantly, Dr. Rank's situation parallels Nora's, which helps to capture the theme of injustice. Dr. Rank is unjustly dying young because of his father's lack of self-control. It is said that his father's indulgences contributed to Dr. Rank's poor immune system. Dr. Rank expresses that he feels it is unjust that he should have to pay the penalty of dying young because of "another man's sins" (II). In the same way that Dr. Rank is suffering injustice, so is Nora suffering the injustice of society, which helps portray the theme of injustice.

In A Doll's House, the drama surrounds Nora and her "secret." Dr Rank seems somewhat unimportant to the progress or development of the plot and, sadly, he is unable to form real relationships with any of the characters although Nora considers him their "best friend" who "never lets a day pass without looking in." He seems to realise that he is " in the way here too" when Torvald and Nora are busy but still persists. He is frowned upon because he flirts with Nora but as she has never even realized it, he seems harmless and is pitied more than judged by any audience.

Dr Rank does not know Krogstad but is quick to form an opinion of him as "a moral incurable." Rank is unwell and Nora is concerned for him but rather dismissive of his illness, refusing to accept that he may die soon. At one point Nora is about to involve him in her problem when he declares his feelings for her and she is somewhat irritated with him that now she cannot share her problem  - her secret - with him as it would not be proper, knowing how he feels about her. Nora is very fond of him, such as she loved her "papa."

Nora enjoys his company because he is her friend and it is probably the only adult conversations she can have as Torvald treats her like a child and a "featherbrain." Rank lets Nora and Torvald know he is close to death by sending them a letter but in all the confusion they only see it too late. "He and his sufferings and his loneliness formed a sort of cloudy background to the sunshine of our happiness" is Nora's comment when she learns the news. She will realise too late that her own "cloudy background" will destroy what relationship se has with Torvald and her own family as she feels compelled to leave after her secret is revealed. 

In A Doll's House, describe Dr. Rank and Nora Helmer's relationship.

In A Doll’s House, Dr. Rank is portrayed as Nora Helmer’s closest friend. Significantly, Nora is not shown as having close women friends. She is very fond of the doctor, who visits her daily. Rank’s attention to Nora is deemed to be entirely appropriate, as her husband, Torvald, does not object to another man visiting his wife. Nora’s attitude toward the doctor, who is much older than she is, resembles that of a daughter toward a father. Nora had been very close to her father while growing up, so it may be that Rank fulfills a similar role.

The doctor’s attention provides a relief to the strains of Nora’s unhappy marriage. As he is terminally ill and apparently in constant pain, his sessions with the younger woman seem to offer a welcome distraction from his own troubles. He realizes long before she does that she and Torvald are not a good match. The doctor is accepting of Nora’s foibles rather than critical like Torvald. Before Nora takes the step to leave Torvald, she learns that Rank will soon end his life. The fact that she knows he will not be available to support her in her new situation indicates her acceptance of having to be self-sufficient from that point forward.

Why does Dr. Rank love Nora in A Doll's House?

In Act II of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, we find Nora is flirting innocently with Dr. Rank, the family friend, when, suddenly, he expresses her love for her. Although there are not many reasons that Dr. Rank can cite specifically, there is one hint that may lead us to understand his emotions. 

RANK:It is just that, that put me on the wrong track. You are a riddle to me. I have often thought that you would almost as soon be in my company as in Helmer's.

From these words, we could argue that Dr. Rank is the type of man that has lived a very conservative life, surrounded by science, and his medical profession, at all times. Notice how, when Dr. Rank explains his illness to Nora, he is bitter about the fact that his disease is common among people who tend to be debauched. Obviously, this is not his case, which is why he is upset that he has to pay for the "sins" of others.

RANK:Oh, it's a mere laughing matter, the whole thing. My poor innocent spine has to suffer for my father's youthful amusements.

Therefore, entering the home of Nora must be a new experience to Dr. Rank. He sees in her everything that he has never seen in a woman, or in anyone, before. Hence, he is able to appreciate, much more than Helmer, the extent to which Nora goes to try and please other people. He obviously cannot understand her personality. Then again, Nora is a riddle to understand, altogether. However, rather than diminish her to the role of a mere entertainer-the way that Helmer has- he actually does see between the lines, and he likes what he sees.