Mercedes is Hal’s sister. She and her husband, Charles, accompany her brother to the Klondike in a search for gold. She is the only significant female character in the novel, and she seems to represent the worst stereotypes of female behavior. She is spoiled and unreasonable. Though she is initially much more compassionate toward the dogs than her husband or brother, when the load is too heavy, she foolishly tosses out some of the food. This is one of the most devastating parts of the novel, because her actions lead to the starvation and death of members of Buck’s team.
