What is the meaning of the word dejection in the context of the excerpt?

the injured captain, lying in the bow, was at this time buried in that
profound dejection and indifference which comes, temporarily at least, to
even the bravest and most enduring when, willy nilly, the firm fails, the
army loses, the ship goes down.

a. deep thought
b. introspection
c. discomfort
d. low spirits

citations

explanation:

- "there are several movements that doris lessing was associated with. first of all, communism. she pursued her communist beliefs and included them in her writing, and was also a member of several communist book clubs. she is also strongly associated with feminism, her fight for equality and women's rights.

doris lessing is the kind of writer who has followers, not just readers. they have been engaged to her chiefly because of her involvement in major problems, such as politics and woman-ism."