Convenience Store Woman: The inconvenience of sticking out

Keiko Furukura is a convenience store worker who excels at her job, keeps to herself, and is a kind individual who causes no harm to others. Despite possessing qualities that would be considered normal, Keiko is labelled abnormal because she does not conform to societal expectations of marrying by 30, having children, or pursuing a desk job.
 
"People who are considered normal enjoy putting those who aren't on trial, you know," is one of those quotes that stay with you long after you close the book. 
 
In 'Convenience Store Woman,' author Sayaka Murata presents a compelling exploration of identity and societal expectations, culminating in a striking moment of self-acceptance for the protagonist, Keiko Furukura. 

Throughout the novel, Keiko, a socially awkward woman in her mid-30s, struggles to conform to conventional roles—marriage, a traditional career, and fitting into the mold society dictates. However, it is her job at a convenience store that provides her with a sense of purpose and belonging that no other path can offer.
 
It is interesting to see society as black and white from the protagonist's perspective. Keiko neither feels the urge to engage romantically nor senses the pressure to climb the social ladder. Her mind acknowledges that others may find her unusual, but she continuously struggles to offer new explanations instead of admitting that she finds fulfillment as an employee of 'Smart Mart'.

Keiko approaches life with a clinical, almost mechanical mindset. She views her work at the convenience store as a system of clear rules and functions that give her a sense of order in an otherwise chaotic world. 

"I wished I was back in the convenience store where I was valued as a working member of staff and things weren't as complicated as this. Once we donned our uniforms, we were all equal regardless of gender, age, or nationality— all simply store workers."

The store becomes her anchor—a place where she knows exactly what is expected of her and where she feels most aligned with the world around her. For Keiko, the structured environment of the store contrasts sharply with the ambiguity of human relationships and societal norms, which she finds baffling. 
As human beings, we strive for individualism but live in a highly collectivist society. Whenever a black sheep is spotted, we quickly dismiss them. Keiko struggles to blend in with her peers, even within her family. 

She constantly seeks advice from her sister on how to act 'normal' and mimics others to fit in. Keiko is smarter and funnier than she is given credit for, but her career choices and single status overshadow those qualities of hers.

The line "She's far happier thinking her sister is normal, even if she has a lot of problems than she is having an abnormal sister for whom everything is fine. For her, normality -however messy -is far more comprehensible," this had me questioning everything in our contemporary society as the concept of being content in your skin does not exist without others trying to change some aspects of you.  
 
Some may claim that Keiko's story lacks a character arc, but I see this absence as intentional. The focus is on embracing her true self rather than changing or 'fixing' her. 
 
"You eliminate the parts of your life that others find strange—maybe that's what everyone means when they say they want to 'cure' me." This again is one of those statements that makes you take a step back and see how complex yet simple our society is. People who do not fit in a box do not come with the label 'fix me'. They just want to be accepted as they are. 
 
Keiko found solace in having a routine work life as a convenience store worker. She feels valued when her work is appreciated and likes her systematic life where the outside world keeps trying to change her or mend her as if she is a machine.
 
The charm of this simple story lies in the fact that people will always ask something from you and the list never ends but it is a privilege to know that what you have is enough for you.