Henrik Ibsen in his play, A Doll's House presents a character that appears to be "more sinned against than sinning." This character is Nora Helmer, wife to Torvald Helmer, and mother of two. She sways between the person she pretends to be and the one she will some day become, without actually being able to develop a sense of self. Nora has been treated all her life as a doll, first by her father and then by her husband. However, Nora happens to have committed a crime, which may be revealed by her banker. Early in their marriage, Nora borrowed a large sum of money from Nils Krogstad to be able to take the ill Torvald to a warm climate. She did this obviously without telling her husband, and because of his constant worries about his reputation and his appearance in society, she told him that this was money that her father had left after his death. Nora has been secretly paying this loan back by saving up her personal allowance and performing small jobs. However, to get this money Nora forged her father's signature and even dated it several days after his death. She realizes she committed a serious crime, but feels it was justifiable because she did it for her husband. This is why she is certain that because of his deep love for her, he will understand what has happened one day. She feels that their love will survive any obstacle. .
When Torvald fires Nils Krogstad from his job, Krogstad pushes Nora to help him because otherwise he will reveal her great secret. Krogstad was known by many to have been dishonorable however, he is looking to reform himself and change society's opinion of who he is. This is why he is fighting to keep his job and blackmails Nora as his best escape route. He is the only one that knows about Nora's forgery since it was he who lent her the money, therefore his plan is to humiliate her in front of Torvald and incriminate the family in front of society. Still, it is in his attempt to blackmail Nora, he forces her to get to know herself, and to evaluate the unreal relationship she is in with Torvald.