The City of Ember

Lina decides to see what Clary thinks of the Instructions. She tells Clary everything, and Clary is sad and sorry that the mayor turned so selfish. In Lina’s room at Mrs. Murdo’s, Clary sees right away that the bean plant sprouted. She studies the Instructions with serious intent, agreeing with all the guesses Lina and Doon made so far and saying the Instructions are the “most hopeful thing [she has] ever seen” (170). Clary focuses on the word Egres at the top, stating that the word is actually Egress, or exit.

When Clary leaves, Lina runs to fetch Doon, telling him the meaning of Egress. They look at the instructions with fresh eyes. They decide the clues lead down the Pipeworks to the river, where they should find a labeled stone. Doon remembers, “Yes, that must be right. There’s a stone marked with E, and down the riverbank at the point there’s a ledge” (173). They plan to share the Instructions with the city at the Singing, a yearly festival at which everyone gathers to appreciate Ember, assuming they decipher more before the event in two days. That night, Doon cannot sleep. His father asks if he is all right but Doon keeps the secrets to himself, thinking how surprised his father will be at the Singing.