Final answer:
Tom Ramsay's life became a sore trial for his family due to his decadent lifestyle, financial ruin, and the emotional strain of his actions, which culminated in his personal downfall and the added stress of other family tragedies, such as the death of Basil and the injury of Ramsey in Vimy Ridge.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tom Ramsay's life was a sore trial for the family for multiple reasons. Initially, Tom returns from Oxford University and falls into a decadent lifestyle, squandering his late father's wealth, mistreating his pregnant fiancée Sarah Young, and ultimately facing a personal and financial downfall. The chaotic condition of his life affects the entire family, both emotionally and financially, reflecting in the scene where Sarah is left crying with her engagement ring, abandoned by Tom. Additionally, the family struggles with the sorrow of Basil's death and the perilous situation of Ramsey's involvement in Vimy Ridge, further straining their emotional fortitude.
To compound the family's hardships, news of Ramsey being hospitalized and potentially blinded adds to their trials, necessitating that his sister Grace go to him in Manchester. Ultimately, Tom's actions lead to his own collapse, as depicted in the final scene of him in Bedlam, having attempted sui_cide. This notoriety and the implied scandal would have caused immense stress and embarrassment to his family in the societal context of his time.