Coming from small roots inherently places many constraints on an individual. These constraints are amplified when people who are used to privilege see you as a threat.

The success of someone from a small background sets a dangerous precedent for their prejudice towards their own privilege and its role on success. It alludes, consciously or unconsciously, to the idea that they are not as talented as they thought, exposing the contributions of luck and affluence in their success.

The complex emotion Schadenfreude then emerges naturally. They feed off the failures of the underprivileged peers. From the perspective of the underdog, the tightrope becomes narrower. Small, honest mistakes lead to not forgiveness but ridicule and humiliation. This is what amplifies the misery: the indirect continuation and reminders of their poverty even after achieving moderate success. 

The thing that helps is developing boundaries towards hostile peers and sadists. Although, this places one in a very isolated position, if most are hostile. However sad the reality might be, choosing the less painful poison remains the only acceptable option.