Which character makes the decision to leave the family without telling anyone?

• A. Tom
• B. Connie
• C. Ma
• D. Casy

Answer: (B)

Leaving without telling anyone highlights how some characters respond to hardship with an escape, rather than shared responsibility. Connie, who has just married Rose of Sharon, wants independence and to chase a dream of better prospects in California. When the family is pressed by poverty and the strain of an expected child, he chooses to walk away, leaving without informing the others. This act reveals his immaturity and unwillingness to be accountable to his wife and her family, especially in a time of collective struggle. The moment sets up a contrast with Tom, who stays and takes on the burden to help the family endure, underscoring different ways men respond to crisis. Connie’s departure also serves as a critique of the dream of easy escape from hardship, showing that the family’s needs persist even as individuals chase personal ambitions.