In·sti·gate (in'sti-gat') tr. v. in·sti·gat·ed, in·sti·gat·ing, in·sti·gates

To urge on; goad. To stir up; foment.
[Latin instigare, instigat-; see steig- in Indo-European roots.]

in'sti·ga'tion n., in'sti·ga'tive adj., in'sti·ga'tor n.

"There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating."

Given the information selected from the dictionary what does the word instigate mean in the context of the passage?
A. causes
B. tempts
C. contradicts
D. supports