Question

What does Mercedes look like, and what are some of her personality traits?
(From The Call of The Wild)

Answer 1

Mercedes is portrayed as a pampered, soft-bodied city woman unsuited to the Klondike. Physically she is described as large and showy — wearing fine clothes, jewelry and furs that mark her as a person of comfort rather than a hardy traveler.

Personality traits (with how they show up in the story):
- Spoiled and sentimental: she fusses over the dogs and wants comfort and attention rather than hard work.
- Naive and inexperienced: she has no real understanding of sledding, dog care, or wilderness conditions.
- Self-centered and indulgent: she expects others to cater to her and objects loudly when hardships come.
- Hysterical/cowardly under stress: she cries, complains, and panics instead of enduring or helping.
- Talkative and domineering in a trivial way: she complains and gives orders, but lacks practical sense.

Overall, Mercedes is used by London as an example of city-bred weakness and folly in contrast to the ruthless demands of the North and the hardy characters (human and canine) who survive there.