RUANG KATA: Journal of Language and Literature Studies
Vol 6 No 01 (2026): Ruang Kata (In Progress)

Resistance to Gender Norms in Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman: A Feminist Analysis of Women’s Roles in Japan’s Patriarchal Society

Arrum, Regita Sekar (Unknown)
Jati, Dindadari Arum (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
04 Feb 2026

Abstract

This study examines resistance to gender norms in Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman through a feminist literary perspective. This study focuses on the representation of women’s roles within Japan’s patriarchal society where social expectations surrounding marriage, career, and femininity strongly shape women’s identities. This research employs a qualitative method using feminist literary criticism by Judith Butler about Gender Performativity. The analysis explores the narrative strategies and the characters in reinforcing feminist discourse within the context of modern Japan. The findings reveals that the main character, Keiko Furukura, is portrayed as a form of resistance to the dominant gender norm in Japan. Her rejection of conventional life trajectories such as marriage and corporate success destabilizes hegemonic ideals of femininity and exposes the constraints imposed by patriarchal values. Through its characters and narrative strategies, the novel also advances a feminist critique by revealing patriarchal values that marginalize women. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that Convenience Store Woman articulates a subtle yet powerful feminist critique by foregrounding nonconformity as a form of resistance. This study also reveal that the novel redefines female autonomy beyond socially imposed ideals of womanhood.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jrk

Publisher

Subject

Arts Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences Other

Description

Ruang Kata: Journal of Language and Literature Studies is published by Indonesian Language Study Program, Ma’arif Nahdlatul Ulama University. Ruang Kata is an academic journal devoted to research (field and library), conceptual ideas, review and application of language and literature theories in ...