When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.
Because Ember was deliberately constructed as a refuge from our messed-up, disaster-headed world, there aren't many references to things from our world in it. The original citizens of Ember weren't supposed to bring books, photos, or any other mementos or reminders. Still, a few phrases survived (not quite proverbs, more like slang), such as
- Heavens above
- Hogwash
- Batting a thousand
- All in the same boat (8.22).
Alas, that's about it.