I hope he'll pursue his panther and would be disappointed if he were to do otherwise,' Serena said, turning so she addressed Pemberton as much as his partners. 'Pemberton's a man unafraid of challenges, which is why I married him.
-- Serena (Chapter 1 paragraph 32)

Importance: Serena's ultimate plan to dominate the timber industry and begin logging in Brazil hinges on Pemberton's willingness to accept the challenges inherent in such a lofty goal. While Serena realizes she needs to be partnered with a man like Pemberton to achieve her goals, she is also speaking of the challenge that she represents as a partner in marriage. Serena needed to find a strong man to marry her and had scared off many men before Pemberton. Now, Pemberton must be willing to take Serena on as a partner in his business as well and deal with the difficulties of a woman who will stop at nothing to...