The Submission

“There is a poem—George Herbert—with the lines: ‘Who would have thought my shrivel’d heart / Could have recover’d such greenness?’”

These lines from George Herbert’s “The Flower” help clarify why Claire believes the Garden is the most appropriate choice for the 9/11 memorial. The other option, the Void, is a dark, abstract design that sharply contrasts with the Garden, which would be full of plants and thus full of life. The poem emphasizes the healing power of nature, and Claire strongly envisions the garden as a place where the grieving may find peace and joy.

“[B]ut we’re talking about something more profound than taste here. Judgment. Having family members in the room—it’s like we’re letting the patient, not the doctor, decide on the best course of treatment.” 

This quote comes from Ariana’s attempt to persuade Paul to vote for the Void rather than the Garden. Ariana has a strong idea of what a 9/11 memorial should look like, and she staunchly prefers the Void. She recognizes that Claire, a widow of a 9/11 victim, holds considerable sway over the vote. That Ariana targets Paul is no coincidence. As the jury’s leader, Paul’s voice also holds power.

“He was the middle-class Muslim son of an engineer, a profile not all that different from some of the terrorists. Raised in another society, raised religious, could he have become one of them?” 

This passage draws a parallel between Mo’s background and that of the 9/11 terrorists. In doing so, it raises questions about identity and about the role society plays in shaping a person’s personality and beliefs.