Nils Krogstad By Steph and Cindy

Motivation

Reflects his motive on his minor crime of forgery in the past, this shows he may have not been a bad person after all. The force that drives Krogstad’s actions is ultimately the high expectations of society and social standards. Although Krogstad may seem as an evil character blackmailing Nora, he acts the way he does for survival. He has a family to support and a reputation to recover, and therefore must keep his job at the bank. For this reason, we can also understand Krogstad's motives and sympathise him for the misery he has undergone. "I had to grab hold somewhere, and I dare say I haven't been among the worst. But now I want to drop all that. My boys are growing up. For their sakes, I'll have to win back as much respect as possible here in town."

Key Actions & Quotes

When she refuses, Krogstad points out that he has in his possession a contract that contains Nora’s forgery of her father’s signature. Krogstad blackmails Nora, threatening to reveal her crime and to bring shame and disgrace on both Nora and her husband if she does not prevent Torvald from firing him. “The discrepancy consists, Mrs Helmer, in the fact that your father signed this bond three days after his death.”

Krogstad arrives and demands an explanation for his dismissal Krogstad arrives and demands an explanation for his dismissal. He wants respectability and has changed the terms of the blackmail: he now insists to Nora that not only that he be rehired at the bank but that he be rehired in a higher position. He then puts a letter detailing Nora’s debt and forgery in the -Helmers’ letterbox. “When Helmer has had my letter, I shall expect a message from him. And be sure you remember that it is your husband himself who has forced me into such ways as this again.”

Ms Linde tells Krogstad that she wishes to be with Krogstad and care for his children. Krogstad is overjoyed and says he will demand his letter back before Torvald can read it and learn Nora’s secret. Here Krogstad is conversing with Kristine in a very intimate conversation. He opens up to her and truly wishes he would take it all back. He finds comfort and security in Kristine as they were former lovers and is even willing to take the letter back and risk losing his job for Kristine. This is significant as it shows he still has feelings and a good heart, society was just not willing to give him a second chance. Krogstad's statement here shows regret he feels for blackmailing Nora which can be seen by how he tries to take back his actions against her. “Yes, of course I will. I will wait here until Helmer comes; I will tell him he must give me my letter back--that it only concerns my dismissal--that he is not to read it—”