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Short Fiction · Character

Mr. Caxton

A caustic, hard-drinking artist at a Martian camp who threatens children with a reed switch and sneers at their claims of four-toed clawmarks in the sand.

supporting

Also known as Tommy, Tommy Mr. Caxton, Unfortunately Mr. Caxton

First appearance: Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird

As a supporting figure in Short Fiction, Mr. Caxton is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The narrator, who lands at La Guardia, meets Barbara, and reflects on his past and Pete's disappearance.
In the storyIV: New York KidOpen this moment free

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Caxton crouches by the campfire sketching Martian birds, but his temper runs hotter than his talent: he bullies Peter and Susan, dismisses their discovery, and brandishes a switch when they press him. His cruelty is…

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The fuller portrait of Mr. Caxton sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. Caxton in Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how Mr. Caxton sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

PEPeteSASusan AshleyTMThe Man from T…DKDr. Kenneth As…UAUncle AlMCMr. Caxton

Relationship types

  • Professional
  • Romantic
  • Other

Character groups

  • Doctor and artist group
  • Protagonist
  • Core romantic subplot

+4 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the dramatic climax because Sally reaches her psychological peak of self-assurance and romantic antici…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Caxton in Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird

In the story

Mr. Caxton appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Caxton unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Caxton in Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird