Final answer:
The narrative detail where Dorothy gives more to the woman than she can afford, after discovering they share a hometown, reflects the profound effect of learning about her mother's past, highlighting empathy and shared destiny.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student question pertains to a literary analysis focused on the impact of the narrator learning about her mother's past in the story 'In Safety Numbers'. This analysis involves examining how specific details in the narrative reflect the emotions and realization that comes with this knowledge. In the provided excerpt, we learn that the narrator, Dorothy, is deeply moved by the revelation that she shares a hometown with the woman she encounters, which signifies a profound connection to her own life and past. Dorothy's empathetic response, leading her to give more assistance than she can afford, symbolizes a recognition of shared fate or circumstances - essentially an 'There but for the grace of God go I' moment. This detail underscores how learning about her mother's past affects Dorothy, evoking empathy and a sense of shared destiny despite their different paths.