# Mr. Caxton — Short Fiction character guide

> Mr. Caxton in Short Fiction by Frank Belknap Long.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0036-mr-caxton-draws-a-martian-bird

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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 casual and unearned—Susan notes he doesn't need to drink to be mean—and it sets him against the children's faith in mystery and exploration. As a foil to the Ashleys' scholarly wonder, he embodies the sour skepticism that would smother a budding explorer before science can lose him.

## Relationships

### [Pete](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/characters/pete)

_professional_

An employer-employee or mentor-protégé relationship, with frequent work-related interactions.

### [Susan Ashley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/characters/susan_ashley)

_romantic_

A romantic or courtship relationship, with Mr. Caxton and Susan Ashley as a couple.

### [Pete](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/characters/pete)

_professional_

An employer-employee or mentor-protégé relationship, with frequent work-related interactions.

### [Susan Ashley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/characters/susan_ashley)

_romantic_

A romantic or courtship relationship, with Mr. Caxton and Susan Ashley as a couple.

### [Susan Ashley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/characters/susan_ashley)

_romantic_

A romantic or courtship relationship, with Mr. Caxton and Susan Ashley as a couple.

### [Pete](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/characters/pete)

_professional_

An employer-employee or mentor-protégé relationship, with frequent work-related interactions.

## In the story

### [IV: New York Kid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/chapters/iv-new-york-kid)

The narrator, who lands at La Guardia, meets Barbara, and reflects on his past and Pete's disappearance.

### [The Man the Martians Made](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/chapters/the-man-the-martians-made)

Interacts with the transformed man, possibly as an authority figure or observer.

### [Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/chapters/mr-caxton-draws-a-martian-bird)

The cruel guardian who mocks Peter and Susan, draws a false Martian bird, and shoves Peter to the floor.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/characters/mr_caxton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_17_se/characters