“‘Are they people like us, Mama?’ a child said. ‘Or some other kind?’

Of course we’re like you, thought Lina. Aren’t we? Are there more kinds of people than one?”

This is one of the earliest instances of the “us versus them” mentality that causes so much strife between the Emberites and the people of Sparks. It comes from a child, making it especially impactful; this dichotomy and attention to difference, rather than shared humanity, is taught very young. It also introduces the idea of different “kinds” of people, something that will resurface later.

“Each one—Mary, Wilmer, and especially Ben—wished the unfortunate cave people would simply vanish.

But they weren’t going to vanish, and the leaders of Sparks knew that they must for the sake of their consciences do the right thing. They wanted to be wise, good leaders, unlike the leaders of the past, whose terrible mistakes had led to the Disaster. So they would be open-minded. They would be generous.”

The leaders of Sparks reflect on the past in this quote, hinting at the flaws of past societies that led to the post-apocalyptic world that they live in now. The novel references the idea of learning from the past is referenced several times, and DuPrau explores the difficulties of remembering these lessons through the eventual animosity between Ember and Sparks.

“He had never in his life felt so good. He felt as huge as the land around him and as clear and bright as the air. No laboring in dank tunnels here; no running through dark streets to escape pursuit. Now he was out in the open, free. And he was powerful, too, in a way he hadn’t been before. He had done something remarkable—saved his people from their dying city—and, along with Lina, he would be known for that deed all his life. He gazed around at this new world full of life and beauty, and he felt proud to have brought his people here.”

This quote speaks to the promise of the new world that the Emberites find themselves in as well as Doon’s enthusiasm for the new opportunities it will bring. The use of similes and clear, poignant language are emblematic of the style of the book.