# Don Carlos Pulido — The Mark of Zorro character guide > Don Carlos Pulido in The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Don Carlos, Carlos, Pulido, A Pulido **First appearance:** 0007-viii-don-carlos-plays-a-game ## Snapshot A proud hidalgo whose name no longer opens doors, he clings to dignity while his family's fortunes and his daughter's future slip away. ## Who they are Don Carlos is out of favor with the governor, and every kindness shown to his household is quietly punished by those in power. He hopes a marriage between Lolita and Don Diego will restore the Pulido name, even as he senses his daughter's reluctance. His precarious position makes him a pawn in the feud between Zorro and the authorities, and his choices ripple through the whole pueblo. ## Relationships ### [Don Diego Vega](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/don_diego_vega) _social_ Don Carlos views Don Diego as a harmless, wealthy neighbor and a potential suitor for his daughter, unaware of his secret. ### [Doña Catalina Pulido](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/dona_catalina_pulido) _family_ Don Carlos and Doña Catalina are a married couple, with Catalina often anxious about their family's precarious situation. ### [Captain Ramón](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/captain_ramon) _rivalry_ Captain Ramón bullies and threatens Don Carlos, viewing him as a rebellious aristocrat to be crushed. ### [Sergeant Pedro Gonzales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/sergeant_pedro_gonzales) _rivalry_ Don Carlos is often harassed by Sergeant Gonzales, who carries out Captain Ramón's oppressive orders against him. ### [Don Diego Vega](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/don_diego_vega) _social_ Don Carlos views Don Diego as a harmless, wealthy neighbor and a potential suitor for his daughter, unaware of his secret. ### [Don Diego Vega](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/don_diego_vega) _social_ Don Carlos views Don Diego as a harmless, wealthy neighbor and a potential suitor for his daughter, unaware of his secret. ### [Doña Catalina Pulido](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/dona_catalina_pulido) _family_ Don Carlos and Doña Catalina are a married couple, with Catalina often anxious about their family's precarious situation. ### [Captain Ramón](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/captain_ramon) _rivalry_ Captain Ramón bullies and threatens Don Carlos, viewing him as a rebellious aristocrat to be crushed. ### [Sergeant Pedro Gonzales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/sergeant_pedro_gonzales) _rivalry_ Don Carlos is often harassed by Sergeant Gonzales, who carries out Captain Ramón's oppressive orders against him. ### [Sergeant Pedro Gonzales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/sergeant_pedro_gonzales) _rivalry_ Don Carlos is often harassed by Sergeant Gonzales, who carries out Captain Ramón's oppressive orders against him. ### [Captain Ramón](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/captain_ramon) _rivalry_ Captain Ramón bullies and threatens Don Carlos, viewing him as a rebellious aristocrat to be crushed. ### [Doña Catalina Pulido](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/dona_catalina_pulido) _family_ Don Carlos and Doña Catalina are a married couple, with Catalina often anxious about their family's precarious situation. ## In the story ### [A Ride in the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/v-a-ride-in-the-morning) Anxiously awaits the visitor, hoping for a turn in his fortunes, and welcomes Don Diego warmly. ### [Diego Seeks a Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/vi-diego-seeks-a-bride) Delighted by the prospect of an alliance with the Vega family, he gives permission for Diego to court Lolita. ### [VII: A Different Sort of Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/vii-a-different-sort-of-man) Attempts to placate Don Diego after Lolita's rejection and later urges his daughter to be more amenable. ### [VIII: Don Carlos Plays a Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/viii-don-carlos-plays-a-game) Plays a dangerous game by feigning hospitality while secretly summoning soldiers to capture Zorro. ### [IX: The Clash of Blades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/ix-the-clash-of-blades) Frustrated by Zorro's escape and later shocked when Zorro reappears from the closet. ### [X: A Hint at Jealousy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/x-a-hint-at-jealousy) Hosts the captain and Don Diego, seeking to maintain favor with the army while avoiding conflict between the two men. ### [XI: Three Suitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xi-three-suitors) Struggles to balance the interests of Don Diego Vega and Captain Ramón as suitors for his daughter, hoping to avoid enmity with the Vega family. ### [A Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xii-a-visit) Accepts Don Diego's invitation, travels to the pueblo with his family, and visits the inn to renew acquaintances. ### [XIII: Love Comes Swiftly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xiii-love-comes-swiftly) Mentioned as being out on a visit with his wife; Lolita's father. ### [Captain Ramón Writes a Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xiv-captain-ram-n-writes-a-letter) Falsely accused by Ramón of harboring Zorro and hindering the pursuit, further endangering his family. ### [At the Presidio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xv-at-the-presidio) Mentioned as the father who would be charged with treason in Ramón's scheme. ### [XIX: Captain Ramón Apologizes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xix-captain-ram-n-apologizes) Defends his daughter's rejection of Don Diego, advising him to court her more patiently; plans to return to the hacienda. ### [Don Diego Shows Interest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xx-don-diego-shows-interest) Encourages Don Diego not to give up hope, planning to speak with Lolita about the match. ### [An Understanding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxvi-an-understanding) Anxious about his daughter's marriage prospects; encourages Don Diego's courtship and hopes for a match to improve his fortunes. ### [Orders for Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxvii-orders-for-arrest) Accused of treason and ordered arrested by the governor. ### [The Outrage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxviii-the-outrage) Arrested for treason, forced into the carcel with his family; maintains his dignity despite the mob's insults. ### [The Sign of the Fox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxx-the-sign-of-the-fox) Imprisoned with his family in the carcel, looking up at the stars. ### [The Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxxi-the-rescue) Initially refuses rescue, but is subdued and carried out by caballeros. ### [XXXV: The Clash of Blades Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxxv-the-clash-of-blades-again) Referenced as the target of the governor's accusations; Zorro confirms his innocence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/don_carlos_pulido - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters