Urban Space and Epidemics: Narrative Reflections on Socioeconomic Disparities in The City of Ember

Abstract

This study delves into the depiction of socioeconomic disparities amidst a city-wide crisis in Jeanne DuPrau’s novel The City of Ember. Framed within the context of epidemics and urban spaces, this research employs a qualitative analysis approach to investigate the representation of social inequality within the narrative framework. The theoretical lens draws upon disaster sociology and social inequality theories to unravel the differential impact of crises on various segments of the city’s populace. The analysis focuses on the experiences of both privileged city inhabitants and marginalized slum dwellers within the constructed urban landscape of The City of Ember. Through close examination of character dynamics, societal structures, and resource allocation within the narrative, this study reveals the stark socioeconomic disparities exacerbated by the crisis. The findings underscore the profound disparities in access to resources, healthcare, and living conditions between the affluent city residents and the marginalized slum population. The narrative reflections within the novel illuminate the compounded vulnerabilities faced by the urban underclass, emphasizing the amplification of existing inequalities during times of crisis. This research contributes to the discourse on epidemic narratives and urban spaces, shedding light on the portrayal of socioeconomic divides in fictional cities amidst catastrophic events. The study advocates for a deeper understanding of societal inequalities within urban contexts, urging for inclusive and equitable disaster preparedness and response strategies to address these disparities in both fictional and real-world settings.