Final answer:
The similarities between the women in Chapter 17 and Chapter 12 revolve around Dorothy's insightful observations, empathetic nature, and deep connections she draws to her personal life, prompting her generous, emotionally driven decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question invites us to compare two women characters from different chapters within a text. As noted in the provided excerpts, both women share the commonality of being observed with great detail by the narrator, Dorothy. From the descriptions, a strong theme of compassion and identification is evident, as Dorothy is deeply moved by her connections to these characters based on personal affiliations and shared backgrounds. Specifically, in Chapter 17, Dorothy encounters a woman whose situation resonates with her due to the similar town upbringing, prompting Dorothy's generous act born of empathy. Similarly, the excerpt from page 79 hints at Dorothy's propensity to feel compassion for those in unfortunate circumstances, as she relates the beggar and his son to people she loves. These similar reactions and actions by Dorothy indicate that the women in both chapters serve as catalysts for revealing her deep sense of empathy and the emotional responses it evokes.