Final answer:
Rukmani feels sorry for the wives of the officials who run the tannery due to their loneliness, a result of the demanding and isolating nature of their husbands' work. The correct option is d) They are lonely.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rukmani feels sorry for the wives of the officials who run the tannery because they are lonely. This loneliness stems from their husbands' involvement with the tannery where many of the workers have demanding schedules, face harsh working conditions, or endure various forms of mistreatment.
Women associated with the functioning of such factories, whether through marriage or employment, often grapple not only with societal judgments, but also with personal challenges like long hours, lack of education, difficult lives, and more. The sense of isolation for these wives becomes marked by the physical and emotional distance created by their husbands' roles at the tannery.
Rukmani feels sorry for the wives of the officials who run the tannery because they have difficult lives. They are married to men who hold positions of power and authority, but that does not mean they have a fulfilling or happy life.
These women may have to make sacrifices and face challenges in order to support their households and meet the expectations of their husbands and supervisors.
The correct option is d) They are lonely.