Nazruddin’s story leaves some hope for the people of the diaspora, but it also points to a strict limit on their capacity for success. Nazruddin has come away content, but has lost considerable wealth and prominence in the process. And if this is as far as Nazruddin was able to get, it leaves little hope for Salim, who is almost completely alienated and far less successful. He sees how toiling against the system as he has is as pointless as everyone else “carrying on,” and decides to cut his losses. Salim making his engagement to Kareisha official shows him committing to the few connections remaining to him, understanding they are all he has left in the world.