English Language · English

Read the passage and answer the question that follows: 'The Black Death, which swept through Europe in the mid-14th century, was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. It decimated nearly half of the continent's population, fundamentally altering social, economic, and political structures. Landowners faced acute labor shortages, leading to the rise of wage labor and the decline of serfdom. Meanwhile, the authority of the Church was severely shaken as people questioned their faith in the face of such inescapable tragedy.' What is the primary theme of the passage?