Which of the following statements represents a theme in A Widow's Burden? Group of answer choices

a. Sarah had to work to support her family and gain her rights.

b. People should continue to fight for women's rights.

c. Many people have fought for women's rights.

d. It is difficult to deal with the death of a spouse.

Here is the text:

A Widow’s Burden
by Hanna Ingram

1
Though Sarah loved her parents, she began to worry as soon as she received word that her mother and father were coming to the farm for a visit. She hadn’t told them the news about Elijah’s estate, and she wondered how she would fit everyone at the table during mealtime. In truth, that problem was small compared to her other burdens, but she could do little to remove a single one.

2
Sarah missed her husband Elijah terribly. Last winter, he had caught a chill and died from it. This left Sarah to manage the farm alone. She and her girls could have coped, but a few months ago, her stepson Brad had shown up at her door, court order in hand. He was laying claim to two-thirds of Elijah’s farm, his rightful inheritance. Being a woman meant she was only entitled to one-third of her husband’s property; her stepson was “kind” enough to let her keep the cabin and a small plot of land for a garden. The rest of the farm would be sold. Sarah only hoped she could grow enough to feed her girls and find work in town.

3
Just focusing on her parents' visit brought Sarah more heartache. It was so unfair. As a widow, she was entitled to so little of Elijah’s estate, and Brad had claimed most of the furniture, the extra plates, and the silverware she’d received from her grandmother. She was left with four place settings and four chairs – just enough for herself and the girls for each meal. She had done some mending for Mr. Molloy with the intention of earning enough money to buy back the plates and a chair or two, but she’d had to spend the money on flour, sugar, and more pins.

4
Sarah tidied the house nervously as she waited for her parents to arrive. The last time she had seen them, she recalled, Elijah was still alive. Soon she saw a distant cloud of dust from their wagon as it rolled up the road. The children ran behind it toward the house, and Sarah greeted her parents fondly. Setting aside her own worries, Sarah began chatting about family and friends.

5
At last, the family sat down to eat. Sarah’s two oldest girls withdrew quietly, knowing that they were to eat later so as to share their seats and place settings with their grandparents. As Sarah served the dinner she could ill afford, her mother watched her with concern.

6
“Why aren’t we all eating together, dear?” her mother asked. “And what is on your mind?”

7
Sarah hesitated, but then she decided to tell the truth. “As a widow, I am only entitled to a few of the things Elijah and I once shared, and Elijah’s son Brad has claimed the rest. That’s why my home is so bare. We have so little now that Elijah is gone.”

8
Her father shook his head sadly. “What about the farm?” he asked.

9
Sarah explained that Brad’s court order allowed him to sell most of the land. As a woman, she wasn’t legally entitled to keep it.

10
“What a pity!” her father said thoughtfully.

11
“Nonsense,” cried Sarah’s mother. “This is just the problem I’ve been describing these many years, Jebediah!” Sarah’s father cleared his throat, but her mother continued. “And you know how much I admire Lucy Stone’s efforts to provide fair treatment for women!”

12
“Who is Lucy Stone?” Sarah asked, ignoring her father’s frown.

13
Her mother explained that Mrs. Stone had been speaking about women’s rights for many years and was pushing to modify state laws. She also called for women to be allowed to pursue all professions and occupations. Her mother continued, “Mrs. Stone even refused to take her husband’s last name when she married him because she did not want to be considered anyone’s property. And this woman is not alone in her fight. Women all over the country are working together so that they will no longer be mistreated as you have been, Sarah. The Women’s Rights Movement is gaining support from many!”

14
“For once your mother may have a point,” observed her father, taking Sarah’s hand to reassure her. “You should have a right to what you and Elijah owned together, Sarah. We will help you get back on your feet, and then we’ll fight to get your farm back.”

15
Her mother nodded in agreement. Then she added one last thought, “Perhaps when more men and women add their voice to this movement, we will be able to improve the lives of all the women throughout the nation.”

16
Later, with stories of women like Lucy Stone in her head and her parents’ reassurances, Sarah washed the dinner dishes with a smile on her face. For the first time in months, she could imagine a life for herself where she didn’t have to live like a second-class citizen. As for her girls, what new doors of opportunity would this movement open for them?