The Grotto

After our Harkness Discussion today, I think that my understanding of the major points in Robert Olen Butler's piece "The Grotto" has changed. I think the most significant new concept I heard was one that was also stated by Mr. Adams in our most recent chapel. That point is that we have a lot in common with people that at a first glance may look totally foreign and different. This became clear when Clara mentioned to Masud in the grotto that her mother had recently passed away, and Masud also said that his mother had passed away only a year ago. The grief of these two very different people was the same. One person was a white woman from Alabama, the other a Muslim man from Egypt, yet they both felt a profound sense of loss when their respective mothers passed away.
Another point that was brought up in the discussion was whether Clara was at all snobbish towards the Egyptians, even at a subconscious level. I can't imagine two places more different than southern Alabama and Egypt, so obviously both sides were set for a culture clash. Clara is certainly a bit wary of the Egyptians, suspecting an ulterior motive from Masud in the Grotto, even though he was very respectful. I think this misunderstanding and disdain between both sides was meant to highlight that what we notice here are the differences between the two cultures, and not the common experiences and emotions both come to feel, if you dig a little bit deeper.