Ma Changes Her Mind?

So earlier in the novel, Ma freaks out on Tom and Pa when they want to split up the family for a while. She wouldn't hear of it! But now, Noah left and she didn't show much emotion. Then when Connie left, she told Rose of Sharon to stop whining or she'll hit her. She seems to have lost all interest in keeping the family together. Has she given up?

Fruits

Does anyone think the incident surrounding Floyd Knowles and the fruit picking contractor is significant?

Jim Casey

He's already covered for Tom, and his role was starting to make sense. Is he coming back?

Where Art Thou, Turtle?

So what happened to the turtle? We were all so sure that the turtle was symbolic and would reappear throughout the novel. It hasn't happened. So will he come back? Would he still have symbolic significance if he did?

Another One Bites the Dust

In chapter 20, Connie becomes the latest "I'm-leaving-the-party" victim. After a fight with Rose of Sharon, Connie just walks away (literally). So the questions are: Where did he go? Will he come back? Will he die? How will this affect RoS/the baby? Is there a reason that the author keeps removing characters? Does Connie symbolize any particular group of people?

"JC JC, YOU'RE ALRIGHT BY ME..."

So...how about Jim Casey? Any ideas on his role in the novel?

Mother Joad

Where do you think Ma Joad gets her strength? Is it the land? Or is it something else?