Torvald
Torvald is portrayed in the play as a business man, who believes is of a superior level. He is very vain and often talks about his wife's beauty. He is controlling and believes himself to be above his wife, Nora. This is shown when he has forbidden her to eat macaroons as he believes it will damage her teeth.
Nora
In the exposition, you are lead to believe that Nora is a perfectly happy housewife. She enters humming, carrying out the typical housewife duties. However, little hints start to occur in the play that tell you otherwise. Nora disobeys her husband orders by eating macaroons behind his back, this is an important aspect as it symbolizes Nora deceiving her husband.
She comes almost ditsy and with a unusual interest in money but later learn that she went behind Torvalds back and forged a signature to borrow money so they could go on a "life-saving" vacation to Italy. The trip to Italy portrays the perfect life that Nora wants but is not getting at home.
Their Relationship
Torvald is the dominant one in the marriage and ensures his dominance by calling Nora names like "little squirrel" and "little skylark". Using the word "little" belittles Nora which reinforces the superiority he has over Nora.
Torvald and Nora are placed in the upper-middle class but aspire and believe to be much more. Money and status is very important to them. "small bookcase with handsomely bound books" suggests that the books were purchased solely because of the rich image they portray.
