the correct answer is A) regionalism
Well, I would say that Anne clings to her ideals because of the horrific world around her. Even though she is surrounded by grief and tragedy, and fear of dying at any moment, she doesn't give in to that fear, and tries to live her life according to her own ideals, regardless of whether she is going to die tomorrow, or in ten years.
Option B contains a comma splice.
A better way to rephrase that "sentence" could be:
1. The pots clanged to the kitchen floor, and the kitten cowered under the table.
2. The pots clanged to the kitchen floor. The kitten cowered under the table.
