Summary

In Chapter 2, Ajay reveals that he believed his father to be assigned to their family by the government, as he “seemed to serve no purpose,” (page 30). Ajay changes his mind by the time they leave for America, even though he still sees his father as having no purpose.

When Ajay, Birju, and Shuba arrive in America, Mr. Mishra is waiting for them, though the author describes him as appearing angry. Their apartment in Queens was a one-bedroom apartment, and was unlike anything Ajay had ever seen: there was carpet, hot water on a regular basis, and television with programming 24/7. There was also an elevator in their apartment building, which Ajay had never been in before. Ajay recognizes at this point – after having seen all that they already have in America – that while his father served no purpose in India, he “made [them] rich” by...