His character is considered by critics to represent the Faulkner's idea of a "true artist." Dawson Fairchild is an established novelist in the New Orleans originally from Ohio. Outgoing, friendly, and full of opinions that he is not afraid to share, he fills an artist typology opposite to that of Gordon. His character is considered a satirical portrayal of the novelist Sherwood Anderson, one of Faulkner's mentors early in his career (for more information on this connection see below – Mosquitoes and its Historical Foundations in Faulkner's Life). Julius Kauffman is an art critic and brother to the poet Eva Kaufmann Wiseman. He is referred to throughout the book as either "Julius" or "the Semitic Man" and is endlessly engaged in discussions about the value of art with Dawson Fairchild, often denouncing art as a "pale comparison to actual life experience." Mrs. Patricia Maurier is a wealthy and aging widow who hosts the four-day boating excursion that sets the scene for the greater part of the book. Depicted as a patron of the arts, her interest in the artistic community is overbearing to a point it seems almost a forced cover-up for other unspoken insecurities. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that she, like Mr. Talliaferro is constantly seeking love, but never finds it. Patricia "Pat" Robyn is the niece of Mrs. Maurier and twin sister of Josh. She is characterized by her youthful passion for life and her ever-curious nature. Her androgynous, youthful body becomes an object of both male and female desire throughout the book, especially for Gordon. Theodore "Josh" Robyn is the nephew of Mrs. Maurier and the twin brother of Pat and will be attending Yale in the coming year. Much like Gordon, Josh is a reserved character in the book who, though not considered among the artists in the group, is the only character who crafts any physical creative work while on the ship, always preoccupied with fashioning a pipe from a cylinder of wood. Eva Kauffman Wiseman is a lesbian poet and sister to Julius Kaufmann II. Between her lust for Jenny's youth and her unique and insightful contributions to the primarily male-dominated artistic discussions, Wiseman plays a primary role in the novel's exploration of gender roles and sexuality. Mark Frost is a young, gaunt poet who joins the group on the Nausikaa. Self-proclaimed as the best poet in New Orleans yet lazy