Lina and Doon aren’t sure whether the woman left behind her journal on purpose or whether someone in a position of authority made her leave it behind. On balance, one would have to say that the former is the more likely explanation.

The woman is very frank about what the sees as the shortcomings of the city of Ember project. Though she pays tribute to the scientists and engineers who worked on the project, she still thinks that their strenuous efforts would’ve been far better deployed elsewhere. It’s unlikely that the powers-that-be, those responsible for putting the whole project together, would’ve instructed the woman to leave behind such a critical account of their endeavors.

In any case, the woman’s journal is a valuable account of how Ember got started, and why it has turned out the way it has. Reading her account, Lina and Doon immediately recognize the ethos of community that shines through every page, not to mention the overwhelming desire to make things better. Whether the actions of the authorities had the desired effect, however, is a whole different matter.

Nonetheless, the woman’s journal enables Lina and Doon to develop a connection with their ancestors and to see their community and the goals which it was established to achieve in an historical perspective. Moreover, the full and frank account set out in the journal gives Lina and Doon a vital resource that can help them move away from the strict censorship with which they’ve grown up.