The Light Overcame

Author’s Note: This is an essay for symbolism/ inference analysis of the book City of Ember by Jeanne Depreau. The purpose of this essay is to make an analysis of the symbolism in the novel.

The Light Overcame

Have you ever glanced at something and your thoughts instantly move to what it reminds you of? Have you ever had something in your life that symbolizes something important? In the novel City of Ember by Jeanne Dupreau, certain things about the book jump off the page as symbolism.  The ocean is a central image. It is the symbolism of a great journey. ~Enya

            What is ember? Ember is a light about to go out, a dying flame. The title of the book says it all. It symbolizes the whole story.  The City of Ember’s setting is underground, musty and surrounded by darkness.  That’s the main point of the book, isn’t it? The author was genius to put “Ember” in the title, because that represents the whole story. Ember is a light, an ongoing light that suddenly burns out, which defines the city accurately. Not only does the word “Ember” in the title represent the story, there are also other symbolisms, such as the light and darkness in their world.

            To us, light and darkness is just the sign of a day beginning or ending but to Ember, it represents something completely different. The darkness is a sense of danger and depression, or a loss. When the lights flicker, the fear rises to throughout the crowd. When they say that they’ll make everything better, the lights go out longer, and doubt fills them. Light in Ember is way different. It represents peace, survival and hope, when the lights are on their happy, satisfied, and completely oblivious to the fact that they could go out again. Sometimes, I can relate that to my life too.

            There’s no way I can relate to Ember in the way of a city burning out, but I can relate myself and the world to the fact that there is light and dark in all of us. Meaning, that we all have sinned before, the Bible says that pretty much everyone is faced with temptation to sin, even if it’s a little white lie, it represents the evil darkness in our hearts. The light in other words, is our happiness, joy and generosity that we bring each other, even if it’s as simple as helping an old lady across the road, I consider that as the light we give.

            Our lives take many twists and turns, something’s just happen for a reason, Ember symbolizes an ongoing light, like a candle, that is suddenly threatened to be blown out. It struggles to remain its flame, its fire of passion to help many survive. It defines exactly what the generator is stressed to do. Finally the darkness of evil and self centered citizens realizes that their world could come to an end. The light restores their faith as Doon and Lina find a way out and present a resolution to all their problems. Ember represents many of things, but the main point is that that light I told you about before, the ember? It was just about to be blown out, but not in time for the lightness of the world to take over and present them forever contentment.

EMBER'S ENTRIES

Author's Note: This is a creative piece for City of Ember, and also for Cause & Effect. 

!!!BREAKING NEWS!!!

2-9-1987

People of Ember! Bri Dettlaff here, executive reporter, here to tell you the daily updates. We’ve just received word that the two more villagers have been lost in the sea of the Unknown Regions. Not only have they been gone for over a week, but they left their children behind. Who will pay for their survival for house hold light bulbs or food? We’re on the case and we will help these children keep their lives in safety.  That’s all for this lovely Tuesday, enjoy the rest of your day and keep your eye out for tomorrow’s entry.

!!!BREAKING NEWS!!!

2-10-1987

Good Afternoon Ember.  We’re still in shock from the recent black out. Not only has it been the longest in our whole life time in Ember but the real questions are, Will it happen again and for how long?  In order for safety precautions try to limit your time outside of your homes. Make your visits to others homes quickly and get to your homes for protection ASAP. Thank you for listening.

2-11-1987

Citizens of Ember! Our light is fading and we are in grave danger. The Mayor insists that there is hope and a plan for us! But this has gone on far too long. Can the Mayor fulfill his promise? In other words, I’d like to point out Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, if anyone has seen or heard of them, bring them to us immediately. An award will be presented to those who capture them.  They’ve accused the Mayor of false keeping of our possessions.  Thank you.

2-12-1987

The singing is today! Everyone be on your best behavior and enjoy!!

2-12-1987

I apologize for the unexpected entry but, after the few minutes of blackness during the singing, it has put our news media into panic. The dark has been occurring more frequently. Everyone return home as we search for freedom.  Expect a new entry later this evening for more information. Thank you.

2-12-1987

URGENT NEWS; READ IMMEDIATELY

COMMUNITY OF EMBER! OPEN YOUR EYES AND READ!! WE HAVE FOUND A WAY OUT OF EMBER! A WAY TO A BETTER PLACE, A BETTER SURVIVAL!! It happened right after the singing. Mrs. Murdo who lives Corner Brook St. came to us instantly so that we may announce the news. Lina and Doon has saved us all. They are somewhere beyond. Watching us!! It came from above, a shirt wrapped around a rock and a scrap of paper. It has directions to a way out. A way out of Ember! Everyone gather to the clearing in the Main Streets! Thank you all for cooperating. Collect your belongings. Not too many, some soap and lots of water. It says we will need our energy for a long walk. This is the last Ember Entry you will receive. Thank you all for sticking through this darkness and worry. We will find happiness and a great light! We will get out and we will be free! Thank you to all and good luck to each and every one of you in this upcoming journey. I’ll see you in the new land soon. Bri Dettlaff signing off. Goodbye City of Ember.



           Ember's Entries 

Intrigued by the stars

Authors Note: Creative Piece

Once upon a time there was a young girl, she read the fan magazines, the gossip blogs, watched all the shows and movies, she loved the drama, she loved the mystery, but she never thought that these hysterias that she read could be all rumors, all lies, all publicity, she never imagined that those people plastered on her magazines could be dealing with something that wasn't on those pages, that they kept private.  She wanted be on the T.V screen since her first viewing of Wiggles children's show. She always wished she could be a celebrity, she died to be famous. But what if that fame and fortune wasn't exactly what she thought? Till a year ago she wished she could land role on a movie, a show, anything. That young girl…that young girl is me.

Love Conquers All

Authors Note: This piece goes towards my goal in Main Idea/ Top ic

“First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him - and i didn't know how potent that part might be - that thirsted for my blood.  And Third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."

            Seventeen year old Bella Swan is a shy but curious girl who is struck by the thought of having a beautiful godlike creature to ever fall in love with her.   In the Award Winning Novel Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, Bella Swan arrives at Forks, Washington expecting to meet new people, be surrounded by the scene of unstoppable rain and green grounds and nothing more.  She never expected that by one look her life would change. As Edward approaches the cafeteria, their eyes meet. All at once, so many emotions go through her mind before she even had said a word. As she quotes in the book “For an instant, I felt a thrill of genuine fear, raising the hair on my arms, the look only lasted a second, but it chilled me more than a freezing wind, and I knew there was something more.” 

Some say, that love conquers all and love is the strongest force. Edward could have easily killed Bella at any time... but his love had overpowered his thirst and now he is just there to protect her. Love is stronger than temptation, and can be found in the most unexpected places.  It’s a huge universal theme in most books, in this particular one, it’s the main idea. Edward is drawn to Bella but has to resist the temptation. Love can overcome anything. Twilight is a story of forbidden love. Because Edward is a vampire and Bella a human, Edward technically should consider Bella his prey. While Edward does love Bella, his primal instincts lead him to thirst for her blood. Similarly, Bella's natural instincts should warn her that Edward is dangerous, that she should stay away from him, but instead she craves being near him at all times. For this couple, even kissing is dangerous, yet their passion is so intense that they each claim to have no choice but to be with each other.

            There’s a time in almost everyone’s life when you have the opportunity to fall in love. I can honestly say, this has not happened to me. Of course, I believe it will happen eventually, besides, I’m only in eighth grade. I can’t exactly compare myself to Twilight in that way, but I can say that I can compare in the theme we both share, which is choices. Personal choice pops up as a huge component of all the action in Twilight. The defining aspect of the Cullen’s; the "good" vampires, is that they've chosen to suppress their natural desire for human blood and only feed on animals. And driving the main plot, both Edward and Bella know what the safe action is for each of them – to stay away from each other – but they both struggle with how that route conflicts with their desires. Bella chooses to pursue Edward even though it's a dangerous. Edward chooses to engage in a relationship with Bella even though his instincts tell him that she's his prey. But the biggest choice hanging over the whole novel is, Will Bella choose to become a vampire, and will Edward allow that?  In reality, I believe that myths like vampires or werewolves aren’t real, but I understand why instead of running, Bella is fascinated to be with them. Imagine a life where you find basically another world, full of fairy tales, would you pass it by? I’d make the same choice Bella did and take the chance of being involved in something as spectacular as being in love with a vampire.

            There are also way more themes in this novel other than “Love” and “Choices.” Not all of them are as important, but they are still main concepts in Twilight.  Like good vs. evil, fear, isolation, communication, appearances, mortality, the supernatural, strength and skill, family, hate, sacrifice, man and the natural world, memory and the past.  Bella Swan became immune to everything that was happening around her. Her only aspect of her life was Edward Cullen. She had fallen deeply in love in a matter of days. I guess, once you fall in love, that’s all you really care about. It stood out to me how in the novel, she could be so easily satisfied. They were sitting together when she told him she loved him and Edward simply replied “You are my life now” and she was fulfilled.

            "Love is irrational. The more you loved someone, the less sense anything else made"

The main theme in the story is the love connection between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. The minute I picked the book up, I could not set it back down. I read all 498 pages in two days, which is a huge record for me. The reason I love this book is because of their inseparable connection. The way Stephanie Meyer described their lust for each other the more it lured me in. They couldn’t get enough of each other.  Even in deep danger, Bella recites to Edward  "I love you, I will always love you, no matter what happens now." The irresistible bond is what made everything so interesting. Like I said before, when you’re in love, you only want each other, and forget about everything around you. The night Edward confessed his love he told her that, He didn’t have the strength to say away from her anymore. There love was an inspiration to all and they’ll be together forever.  Bella realized she wanted him for eternity when he quoted.  "You are the most important thing to me now. The most important thing to me ever."

"There is so much darkness in Ember, Lina. It's not just outside; it's inside us, too.”

Authors Note:  Reading Response

The City of Ember was dark; the only light came from the distant light bulbs neighboring the city. Surrounding the city were the “unknown regions.” No one knew what was out there, no one dared to even attempt to find out.  For all they knew, whoever tried…never returned. In the novel City of Ember, Doon Harrow quotes to Lina Mayfleet that “There is so much darkness in Ember, Lina. It's not just outside; it's inside us, too. That quote struck me as a real life situation. Even though in our world we’re not surrounded by pitch black darkness, we still have the reality element of the end of the quote, which was when he said that, the darkness is inside us too.

            Without putting much thought into this quote, you could easily pass over it.  I chose to write about this quote because, out of all the quotes this one popped out to me.  In our lives we all can plaster on a fake personality. For example, a year ago I came to Asa Clark; I was scared out of my mind. I was scared what people would think about me, I was worried how I would be judged. The questions I asked myself were uncontrollable. “Will they like me? Are they talking about me? Do they like my clothes? Should I get new clothes for this school? If someone looks at me, what should I do? They were unstoppable. My thoughts controlled my brain and confidence. At first, everyone was really kind, until I got to know them. Certain people had traits that weren’t too attractive. The evil and hatred that came out wasn’t exactly what I expected, which reminded me of the quote above.

            People may not show their insides to everyone, but everyone has something. Even a hint of jealousy is the darkness.  It can cover your heart until it controls you. In the Bible, God says that Satan can come into your life and try to possess you, which isn’t that satisfying to think about. I know that when I feel the temptation of lying to someone, it’s Satan trying to rule me over. Of course, I make the decision of following the Lord instead. The main point is that even though the darkness can attempt to run your life, you have decided what your path is, and if you want that in your personality.

Courage Can Benefit

Authors Note: This essay goes towards my book club speech for character and towards my goals of getting advanced in Idea development, word choice, and sentance fluency.

“Sometimes questions are more important that answers” ~Nancy Willard

Occasionally a person’s curiosity can make them find amazing discoveries, which could turn their whole life around. Usually, it’s completely unexpected, every so often you find the way out of the obstacle you’re dealing with in an absolutely opposite way than you predicted. In the novel City of Ember this happened to one of the main characters, named Lina Mayfleet.  Not only does she find a breakthrough for her city, but she also learns that curiosity may just start out as one small theory, but if you follow your imagination and interests you may find a special wonder that could benefit everyone.

To her city, she was a normal resident of Ember, but little did they know that she could change the world as they know it.  She didn’t just search; she also found a discovery from centuries ago.  A document, used by the builders of their city was lying in an old closet of her grandmother’s home.  It sat and sat back beneath all of the debris, until one day it was set free. Lina had trouble unraveling the sequence of the directions on the sheet, but with some help with her partner, Doon Harrow, they found exactly what they needed.  The cities people didn’t realize it, but Lina and Doon were advantages to their city. They saved them from forever darkness and forever loss.  Their importance to the story is impeccable; they’re the reasons that the people of Ember found survival.

            Till this day, I’ve always been a curious person.  I love to find things and figure it out. If I run across something that I don’t get, I never give up; I find the answers no matter what.  That piece of my personality reminds me of the character Lina’s.  In the story, she never gives up, even when her friends tell her it’s not important, or that she shouldn’t worry, or she shouldn’t get involved, she never gave up.  In the story she was determined by a quote the mayor had told her, "If you have proof, you have to pursue it!" And she did. We relate in one word: Persistence.   We both push forward and believe in our point of views.  Lina could’ve decided to go on her own, as a normal messenger and forget about what she found and her thoughts behind it, but she didn’t. She knew there was something about the document that could help everyone, so she never gave up.  We both connect with three characteristics, persistence, perseverance and determination.

           

            “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”   Lina Mayfleet is a dynamic character. Throughout the whole story she’s a changing personality.  Her first day of change is the first chapter of the book, assignment day, the day where she gets her job that she will have to fulfill for the rest of her life, her behavior changes. She was excited to see her new profession, but when she didn’t get what she wanted, Doon Harrow, out of all people, wanted to change with her, her thoughts change about her perspective on Doon instantly. The whole story people are telling her how to feel about the city’s darkness and all the dangers that could happen, but she decides not to be like them and wait for some miracle to arrive, she changes and goes to find it.

            Lina Mayfleet sort of reminds me of the historical fiction book Sarah Bishop ‘s main character. Sarah and Lina are both put in grave danger and in that way they have a few resemblances.  Even though Lina is in the danger of forever darkness and Sarah is in risk of sudden death from the revolutionary war, they both have the same angles of escape.  Both girls are strong, confident and courageous. They believe that they will find the resolution to their predicament. The girls lack support from others as well. Lina and Doon are on their own, the city doesn’t believe them, and find them plain childish. Sarah was considered “just a farm girl,” none of the villagers believed that she would ever be able to escape the soldiers. Of course, the girls definitely proved all of them wrong as they followed their hearts and decisions and got to where they wanted.

           

            Finally, it’s safe to say that Lina Mayfleet is a very important character to the The City of Ember.  Not only did she keep the town out of natural disaster, but she also learned that she had to trust her instincts, and follow her imagination. Her confidence, bravery and courage were key characteristics of Lina. Without those she would’ve never been able to pull off what she did.  All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
~Walt Disney