A Shadow in the Ember

In A Shadow in the Ember, Jennifer Armentrout underscores the moral imperative for those in power to acknowledge and address the issues of the less fortunate. In Lasania, there is a stark contrast between the luxury of the privileged and the suffering of the common people, primarily farmers facing the devastating consequences of the Rot. As the curse spreads, claiming homes and livelihoods, the nobility persist in their lavish lifestyles. Characters like Sera’s mother Queen Calliaphe justify their spending as keeping up appearances in the face of other nations. However, this comes at a cost to common people. During the lavish preparations for the Rite of Ascension, Sera thinks, “As I walked, I couldn’t believe how the entire floor of Wayfair Palace smelled of roasted meat and baking desserts, while the Coupers lay dead in their bed” (198). The perspective of the working class is shown through a woman’s speech in Croft’s Cross, a district known for its high levels of crime and poverty: “The Crown doesn’t care that we’re losing our jobs, homes, families, and futures […] They go to sleep with full bellies while we starve” (112). As the Rot spreads and the chasm between the privileged and the impoverished widens, the need for responsibility becomes more pressing.