Vital could mean something that is important or essential.
For example: the lungs and heart are both vital organs in the human body.
Although coal, hydrocarbons, iron ore, platinum, copper, chromium, nickel, gold and other minerals have been found, they have not been in large enough quantities to exploit. The 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty also restricts a struggle for resources.
Answer:
When Emily's father passed away, she wouldn't admit he was dead. It took three days for her to allow people to remove his body from their home. ... Thus, the death of her father and the revelation of her poverty marked the point at which the townspeople began to feel sorry for Miss Emily.
