Vikram says: "No one willingly gives up their place of privilege for someone new." How is this statement proven or disproven throughout the novel?

Vikram says: "No one willingly gives up their place of privilege for someone new." How is this statement proven or disproven by different characters throughout the novel? How accurate do you think this sentiment is in reflecting society?

I think many people share Vikram's statement. When new cultures are "in competition" with those at the top, I have seen a resistance by others, that the "new" people aren't ready or simply don't deserve a place at the top yet! The ending of this novel disproved this theory in that everything worked out perfectly for the characters.

Many people in this novel are out for themselves. I think the ones who are not make the difference, Archana and her kindness and support, Deepa and her loyalty to Taco, even Priya and her sudden realization that her son's fate could have been so much worse.

I think that is a realistic statement. History shows that over and over. Laws are even made to help the privileged retain their positions.

And it's also true that people aspire to privilege - which is why the Shah's came to the U.S. in the first place - and why they moved to a better neighborhood with better schools. Up until they encountered problems, they were certainly not worried about those who had less privilege than they did (well maybe Deepa was to an extent.)

When Ashok found out Vikram was discriminating based on Indian caste, he did not call him out because Vikram was paying for Ajay's lawyer and otherwise helping him in achieving his aspirations.

I agree with Patricia Ann about our laws. And some existing laws are even being changed to help the privileged retain their status.

I believe this is mostly true. In the novel, people of privilege were willing to help others if it had some benefit for themselves and did not come at a societal cost to them. Vikram helped Ashok because he believed Ashok could help him professionally. Veena did not reach out to Priya because she felt she was above them. Miranda Baker was willing to pay for Maya's camp because it meant her own daughter would continue the sport.