The City of Ember is a captivating dystopian novel written by Jeanne DuPrau. Set in an underground city devoid of natural light, the story follows two young protagonists, Lina and Doon, as they uncover the secrets of their city and search for a way to escape. With its thought-provoking themes and memorable characters, the novel has become a beloved classic.
Throughout the book, DuPrau weaves in a number of profound quotes that highlight the struggles, hopes, and dreams of the inhabitants of the City of Ember. These quotes serve as poignant reminders of the power of curiosity, resilience, and the enduring human spirit. Here are some of the best quotes from the City of Ember:
“It’s so strange how life works: You want something and you wait and wait and feel like it’s taking forever to come. Then it happens and it’s over and all you want to do is curl back up in that moment before things changed.”
“We had so many chances to be happy, so many happy moments. But people always seem to be sleeping when it’s time for happiness. They never seem to be awake and pay attention to those moments and hold onto them.”
“Maybe what the city needed most was light. Maybe what it really needed was a hero.”
“Doon did not know what he would do if the generator died, if the city was plunged into darkness forever, or if the stores of food were gone and the people began to starve. All he knew was that it was no longer possible to devote his life solely to fixing pipes.”
“A great city, he told himself, never lies. That’s how you know with certainty if the city is true. So run outside the right door and you’ll find everything you need.”
“Things are changing,” said Doon. “People are starting to think.” “And what if they start to change things, too?” “That would be good,” said Doon. “That would be wonderful.”
These quotes from The City of Ember offer glimpses of hope, resilience, and the sheer determination of the human spirit even in the darkest of times. They remind us to cherish the present, question the status quo, and strive for a better future.
Popular Quotes from the City of Ember
2. “It is far easier to think that a mistake has been made, that we are meant to be greater than this place, rather than to accept that we have made this place what it is.” – Doon Harrow
3. “If something goes wrong, we’ll find out soon enough. But if everything goes right, we might never know.” – Lina Mayfleet
4. “One light shines the way into the future, but the darkness remains, waiting to envelope us once again.” – Lina Mayfleet
5. “There is always a way out of a dark situation, if you’re willing to keep looking for it.” – Doon Harrow
6. “Hope can be a powerful force, but it is often easier to dwell in despair.” – Lina Mayfleet
7. “The city belongs not to those who rule it, but to those who live in it.” – Doon Harrow
8. “Sometimes you have to do things, even though you might fail.” – Lina Mayfleet
9. “The light is always there, even in the darkest of places.” – Doon Harrow
10. “We have enough light to get us through the darkness, if we use it wisely.” – Lina Mayfleet
Quotes that Capture the Essence of the City
1. “In the City of Ember, the lights were always on. Sometimes they burned, sometimes they flickered, but they never went out. It was a city of constant illumination, of perpetual brightness, and it gave the impression of a place that was alive, vibrant, and full of hope.”
2. “The city hummed with the sound of machinery, the low hum of generators and the whirring of gears. It was a constant reminder of the city’s industriousness and its ability to sustain itself.”
3. “The buildings in the city were tall and looming, made of concrete and steel. They reflected the city’s ambition and its desire to reach for the sky.”
| Quote | Character |
|---|---|
| 4. “The city was built with a purpose, a plan. Every street, every building, every room had its place. There was a sense of order and structure that gave the city a feeling of stability and security.” | Lina Mayfleet |
| 5. “The city was a labyrinth of tunnels and pathways, twisting and turning in every direction. It was easy to get lost, but it also held the promise of hidden wonders and secret places waiting to be discovered.” | Doon Harrow |
| 6. “The city was a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds. People from all walks of life lived and worked together, creating a vibrant and diverse community.” | Clary Lane |
7. “The city had its secrets, its mysteries. There were dark corners and hidden passageways that held the key to the city’s past and its future.”
8. “The city was a place of hope and opportunity. It was a place where dreams could come true and where anything was possible.”
9. “The city had a pulse, a rhythm. It was alive with the sound of footsteps, the laughter of children, and the chatter of adults going about their daily lives.”
10. “The city may have been hidden underground, but its spirit shone brightly. It was a city of resilience and determination, always finding a way to survive and thrive.”
Memorable Quotes from the Protagonists
“The city isn’t finished. It isn’t even fully started. We’re supposed to make it ourselves.” – Doon Harrow
“We were so desperate to see the sky that we hardly noticed that the land around us was dying.” – Lina Mayfleet
“We have to keep believing in the light, even when the darkness seems overwhelming.” – Doon Harrow
“You have all the darkness inside you, but you also have the light. It’s up to you which one you choose.” – Loris Harrow
“The darkness may seem powerful, but the light has a way of sneaking in through the smallest cracks.” – Lina Mayfleet
“Sometimes it’s the smallest acts of bravery that can change the world.” – Doon Harrow
“In darkness, even the tiniest flicker of light can guide you home.” – Lina Mayfleet
“They may have tried to keep us in the dark, but we will always find a way to escape into the light.” – Doon Harrow
Insightful Quotes about the City’s Dystopian Setting
“We were to learn all that our grandparents had learned, and nothing more. Nothing of what was going on in the world outside, no new ideas or knowledge.” – This quote points out the oppressive control exerted by the city’s authorities. It showcases the limited education and lack of progress within the society, further emphasizing the dystopian element of the setting.
“The darkness seemed to press on them, a weight that made it hard to breathe.” – Here, the quote conveys the sense of constant oppression and fear that engulfs the city. It paints a vivid image of the residents’ difficult living conditions, adding to the overall dystopian atmosphere.
“We can’t go on like this. Forever.” “But we have been going on like this – until now.” – This dialogue highlights a growing awareness of the city’s decrepit state and the need for change. It encapsulates the residents’ realization that they cannot continue living in the same oppressive conditions, once again emphasizing the dystopian nature of the setting.
“They sent children into a dark and crumbling world with no preparation, nothing to help them, no supplies, no training, no special knowledge. What were they thinking? They thought we wouldn’t notice, I guess.” – This quote exposes the negligence and disregard of the city’s authorities towards the younger generation. It sheds light on the injustice and lack of foresight within the society, further contributing to the dystopian setting of the City of Ember.
“The sky was as black as wet newspapers. The streets were a dead landscape of trampled grass and cracked sidewalks.” – With this quote, the author paints a picture of the desolate and dismal environment that the characters inhabit. The bleak description adds to the overall dystopian ambiance and showcases the deteriorating state of the city.
“I want to know what’s out there. I want to see the sky, the trees, the birds. I want to breathe fresh air again.” – This quote expresses the yearning for freedom and escape from the confined city. It conveys the desire to break free from the oppressive setting, further reinforcing the dystopian theme.
“The city was dying. They could have saved it, but they let it rot instead.” – This quote reveals the incompetence and negligence of the city’s leaders, who allowed the once prosperous city to decay. It highlights the dystopian aspect of a society that fails to sustain itself and protect its citizens.
Inspirational Quotes from the City of Ember
|
“Do not go gentle into that good night, but fight against the dying of the light.” |
|
“We inherit everything from those who came before us, and it is our duty to preserve and improve upon what we have been given.” |
|
“Our greatest strength lies in our ability to overcome adversity and find solutions in the face of challenges.” |
|
“In times of darkness, it is our inner light that guides us and helps us find our way.” |
|
“True knowledge is not just found in books or handed down, but in the pursuit of discovery and the questioning of what we think we know.” |
Quotes that Encourage Perseverance
“The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that’s changing quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” – Doon Harrow
“You have to keep pushing through, even when it feels like everything is stacked against you. There’s always a way out if you’re determined enough.” – Lina Mayfleet
“Perseverance is the key to success. No matter how hard it gets, never give up on your dreams.” – Mayor Cole
“Failure is not an option. Keep going, keep trying, and eventually you will succeed.” – Captain Fleery
“The path to success is not a straight line. Sometimes there are obstacles and detours along the way. But never lose sight of your goals and keep on persevering.” – Mrs. Murdo
Uplifting Quotes that Inspire Hope
2. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
3. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
4. “Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances that we know to be desperate.” – G.K. Chesterton
5. “Once you choose hope, anything is possible.” – Christopher Reeve
6. “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu
7. “Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
8. “Hope is the thing that cling
Thought-Provoking Quotes from the City of Ember
The City of Ember is a thought-provoking dystopian novel that explores themes of knowledge, power, and the importance of questioning the status quo. Here are some quotes from the book that will make you ponder and reflect:
- “The trouble with anger is, it gets hold of you. And then you aren’t the master of yourself anymore. Anger is.” – Lina Mayfleet
- “The trouble with secrets is, even if you think you’re in control, they have a way of coming back to haunt you.” – Doon Harrow
- “People find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.” – Loris Harrow
- “Sometimes our decisions are made for us before we’re even born.” – Lina Mayfleet
- “Just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there.” – Doon Harrow
- “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge.” – Loris Harrow
- “Fear is not the natural state of civilized people.” – Lina Mayfleet
- “We cannot be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea.” – Doon Harrow
These quotes from the City of Ember will make you question assumptions, challenge authority, and think about the power of knowledge and curiosity. It’s a reminder that we should never stop questioning and seeking the truth.
Quotes that Highlight Society’s Obsession with Control
- “In Ember, the Builders had decreed that there would be no more new buildings, no more towns begun. Small as it was, Ember could scarcely be called a city, but it was all there was of the world, and it was built to last for generations.” – Jeanne DuPrau
- “We have to save our books and our knowledge. We have to make sure we don’t forget everything we’ve learned, or all the things civilization achieved will be lost.” – Jeanne DuPrau
- “After a moment, Looper shook his head. ‘They wouldn’t listen,’ he said. ‘People aren’t interested in the future. They don’t think ahead. So they don’t have one.'” – Jeanne DuPrau
- “The past belongs to the dead. The future belongs to the curious.” – Jeanne DuPrau
- “It’s not your responsibility to keep everyone safe. People need to be responsible for themselves.” – Jeanne DuPrau
Powerful Quotes that Question the City’s Authorities
1. “We have been living in this city for generations, but why do we still know so little about the outside world?”
2. “The authorities keep telling us that there is no way out of the city, but I can’t help but wonder if they are hiding something from us.”
3. “Are we really meant to believe that the generator is the only source of light in the entire city?”
4. “Why are certain areas of the city restricted? What secrets are they trying to hide from us?”
5. “The authorities claim that the rations are fair, but why do some people always seem to have more than others?”
6. “If the authorities truly have our best interests at heart, why do they keep us in the dark about so many things?”
7. “We need to question the authorities and demand transparency. Our lives are at stake.”
8. “The city is falling apart, and yet the authorities do nothing to address the underlying issues.”
9. “We can’t rely on the authorities to save us. It’s time for us to take matters into our own hands.”
10. “The authorities may have the power, but we have the ability to change our circumstances.”