Final answer:
Rukmani's family is facing a shortage of food due to a poor harvest, which is often caused by excessive rainfall hindering crop production and leading to subpar food quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario of Rukmani's family grappling with food scarcity during the monsoon in the novel likely reflects historical and agricultural contexts where excessive rainfall can adversely impact crop yields. Poor harvests due to excessive rain can be attributed to the historical challenges faced by agrarian communities. Insufficient exposure to sunlight during the growing season can hinder the maturation and quality of crops, resulting in subpar produce that fails to sustain the population.
Such conditions have historical implications, contributing to cycles of poverty, debt, and famine. Agricultural communities, relying heavily on successful harvests for sustenance, face severe consequences when adverse weather conditions disrupt the growth of crops. This portrayal in literature aligns with the broader historical realities of agrarian societies experiencing food insecurity and economic hardship during periods of unfavorable weather and agricultural challenges.