Vikram Seth’s The Golden Gate is basically the story of a man who is unhappy and unable to sustain love and companionship in his life and ends up much the same way as he begins – a lonely and depressed human begins. At the end, we realize that catharsis and enlightment has taken place for John. He is unhappy from beginning of the novel to the end of the novel. His life has come full circle and his bittersweet experience of life has made him a mature and better human being. There is every hope that a new chapter to his life might still yet begin. Key Words: