Leviathan

Steampunk Culture

Westerfeld places a rather unconventional lense on the First World War: steampunk culture. A rather recent underground culture, "steampunk" is a genre that is generally defined by Victorian culture, aesthetics, and technology, but not always. The Celestial Empire franchise takes place in an alternate history where the Aztecs developed highly advanced steam technology, for example. It does not need the Victorian culture or aesthetic, but usually does include them. Steampunk works are also often period pieces, but once again not always; the steampunk/fantasy novel The Golden Compass takes place in the modern day, but in an alternate universe where steampunk technology is possible. All that said, the principal theme in all steampunk works is the prevalence of steam-powered technology. Usually the setting is in some alternative history where steam power developed along lines that can compete with more advanced actual technologies; steam-powered robots, for example. Steampunk is rarely ‘hard’ science fiction, that is, scientifically possible. The reason that steam technology is not prevalent today is because of its limitations, after all. Usually steampunk focuses on the adventure aspect of science fiction rather than the science aspect; rarely will you find a steampunk work that is a political thriller or a romance. Steampunk is one of two primary genres in the ‘genrepunk’ family, the other being cyberpunk (think The Matrix or Bladerunner). Some may argue that today’s novel, Leviathan, is closer to dieselpunk (the anime Fullmetal Alchemist is a fine example), for example, due to its 20th century setting and the fact that the machines are gas-powered. It is certainly biopunk (the Bioshock series of video games) because of its inclusion of genetically enhanced animals and living technology, etc. One last thing; you may have noticed that most of the examples were visual. The genrepunk family is primarily visual because of its focus on aesthetic; even our novel is heavily illustrated. Why is this? Because steam-powered robots and flying whales look really damn cool.

 

Biological versus Mechanical

In reality, World War I did not consist of fantastical steam and diesel-powered walkers combating genetically engineered creatures. In actuality, both the Allied Forces and Central Powers fought with automatic weapons and mobilized in tanks on treads (a comment that, funny enough, Deryn makes a condescending remark about in the novel). In a unique twist, Westerfeld assigns biologically modified beasts to the Allies and steampunk war machines to the Central Forces. Similarly, the ideologies of each group compliment the attitudes of their respective societies in the novel: the Beasties (Allied Forces) are innovative, scientifically-oriented and in tune with natural strength and advantage, while the Clankers (Central Powers) are fans of brute force, strength and firepower. Throughout the story, we see the animosity of each side and their justifications; why create machines which pollute and consume when you can simply adapt the perfect and self-repairing design that nature has provided? Well why tamper with the natural world and create repulsive Frankenstein-esque beasts to do your bidding when you can build a powerful machine which you are in complete control over? Yet in the end, it is the combination of both technologies that lead Alek and Deryn—and their crews—to safety.

 

Unconventional Gender Roles

The hypocrisy of gender roles is rampant throughout Leviathan, not only in the story of Deryn’s struggles to pass for a male cadet but also in Aleksander’s decisions. Deryn is forced to act like a male in order to get into the Service, yet it seems she makes her decisions based on intuition rather than practicality—a trait usually attributed to female characters. Yet it is this thinking that saves her life and others. Aleksander, the next in line for the Austro-Hungarian throne, completely disregards his safety and the anonymity of his crew in order to bring medical supplies to the stranded crew of the Leviathan, where not only his mentors but also “common sense,” dictated that such actions were dangerous. Dr. Barlow herself, poses as a very controversial figure because she is not only a female geneticist, but is very outspoken and has no qualms about being blatant in her conversations.