Representation of Hypermodern Society in Vikram Seth’s The Golden Gate

Abstract

This paper attempts to analyse the portrayal of hypermodern American society in Vikram Seth’s The Golden Gate. It is a tragic love story of twenty-six-years old, John Brown, a high-tech computer executive, who works in nuclear research, leads apparently materialistically comfortable life but it is deprived of real happiness, pleasure and peace of mind. There is vacuity, ennui, discontentment restlessness companionlessness and lovelessness in his life. He is in search of love as an antidote for loneliness. The story revolves around five characters in different combination. The Golden Gate presents contemporary' American society fully equipped with high technology. Americans apparently are leading happy and comfortable life but in reality, it is discontented, lacking harmony, real love, companionship and peace, all are very realistically presented. The free sexual relationship and homosexual relationship which are prevailing in the society are also portrayed. In the novel, the prevailing social realities such as house-warming parties, wedding parties, wine making, picnics, weekend jaunts, sumptuous breakfast, art exhibitions, gestalt groups, protests and relationship with their pets are truly mirrored.