Leviathan

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Who were the major powers/countries involved in World War I? What events precipitated the conflict? What weaponry and technology came into use in conjunction with World War I?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may have widely different levels of knowledge about World War I, depending on their history curriculum. It may be that they are more familiar with World War II; to avoid any confusion, it may be helpful to distinguish the two conflicts before having students attempt the above questions.  

• This interactive global WWI map from the World War I Museum’s resource site offers accessible, informative overviews of the alliances of European countries during the war. Users can zoom in on the map and click on individual countries for a brief summary of their role and significance during the war.
• This 9-minute video from The Imperial War Museum explores the causes the war.

2. What are some elements of the historical fiction genre? What are some elements of the science fiction genre? What do you think a book that combines elements of both would look like?

Teaching Suggestion: These questions will provide an effective segue into preparing students to engage with the steampunk genre that informs some of the novel’s worldbuilding conventions. Having students unfamiliar with steampunk begin by connecting their previous knowledge of genres like historical or science fiction will give them an entry point into new information about the steampunk genre. After learning about the characteristics of steampunk, students may be prompted to predict how Leviathan will utilize steampunk conventions.

• This steampunk genre guide for teens from the American Library Association offers concise, readership-appropriate information on the history of the steampunk genre, its characteristics, and its cultural niche. The guide also includes additional website links and a suggested reading list for students interested in further information about the genre.  
• This post from the Plainsman Museum contains several helpful sections that explore the history of steampunk, its notable works, and contemporary steampunk works across literature, fashion, music, animation, and video games, some of which students may recognize.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Reflect on a time when you felt caught between two sides of an argument. What was the source of the conflict? What were the factors that created tension (for example, different personalities or beliefs)? How did you find a solution? Or, if you weren’t able to reach a compromise in the moment—how would you now resolve the situation, if you could?  

Teaching Suggestion: Due to the potentially sensitive nature of the question, students may be directed to consider a character from literature or film instead. The reflections from this prompt will prepare students to make connections to themes like Resolving Differences Between Competing Groups and character arcs in the text.

Differentiation Suggestion:  For more advanced students, this prompt might be expanded to include critical thinking on historical conflicts between competing ideologies. Students may make connections to current events or historical events to consider how opposing forces of ideology can develop into geopolitical conflict.