While gender issues are expressed most overtly through Deryn's experience, we see other identity issues mostly from Alek's point-of-view. Dude has some serious identity crises going on: you might say he was born with them, what with that whole not really being an accepted member of the family thing. Through most of the novel, Alek is trying to figure out who he is, in relation to his family, his country, and finally, through Deryn, to other people.
It turns out that other characters in Leviathan in addition to Alek may not be exactly what they seem or what they initially choose to reveal, either though: just look at Nora Darwin Barlow.
Questions About Identity
- If Alek were to describe himself, what do you think he would say?
- How much does his tense relationship with the Hapsburgs affect how Alek sees himself?
- In what ways do various characters choose to hide their identities or reinvent themselves?
- How much does family affect the identities of other characters besides Alek?
Chew on This
His father's promises and attempts to make Alek officially royal mean that Alek has never been able to accept himself for who he is.
Many characters choose to hide various aspects of their identities in order to control how others perceive them.