Another character that divides the family even further apart is Noah. Before the family leaves camp to continue driving across the Californian desert, and after Ma' got harassed by a cop to pack up and leave within twenty-four hours, Tom said uneasily, "Ma', I got somepin to tell ya. Noah- he went on down the river. He ain't a-goin on" (Page 278). In this quote, Tom is telling Ma' about the incident that happened earlier, where Noah told Tom that he had to leave and live down river, shortly before the family packed up to continue driving through the desert. Ma' was absolutely stunned when Tom told her this and this is the time in the novel when Ma' was almost at her breaking point. She finally realized that the family is breaking apart and there is almost nothing that she can do about it. This worried and scared Ma' immensely. Although Noah was the quiet, 'odd one out' within the family, it still took a huge emotional toll on Ma'. It also created a huge sense of guilt within Pa'. Because of what Pa' did to Noah when he was younger, possibly causing permanent brain damage, Pa' feels like it is all his fault and he feels terrible about himself. As, the head of the family, at least at this point, Pa' had to stay strong but this incident definitely messed with Pa's inner thoughts and emotions. Noah was always the 'loner' in the family and rarely spoke, but his abandonment of the family created guilt within Pa' and worry and grief within Ma'. This further contributed to the separation of the family. As the family progressed along their journey, they continued to divide even further apart when Connie disappeared. After Tom went and found uncle John drunk alongside a road and before the family left to head south for more opportunities, Rose of Sharon said, "I want Connie. I ain't a-goin' till he comes back" (356). In this quote, Rose of Sharon is telling Ma' that she refuses to head south with the family until Connie comes back.
