"Most young people were getting jobs in big companies, becoming company men. I wanted to be individual"

This quote by Haruki Murakami speaks with the idea of individualism and the desire to stand apart from the crowd. In the quote, Murakami is reflecting on his own life and the options he made. He keeps in mind that many of his peers were taking jobs in large companies and ending up being "company guys," indicating they were conforming to the expectations of the corporate world. Murakami, nevertheless, wished to be a private and create his own path. He wished to be different and not succumb to the pressures of society. This quote speaks with the value of individualism and the courage it requires to go against the grain. It also talks to the power of making your own decisions and not letting others determine your life. Murakami's quote is a suggestion that it is very important to be real to yourself and to have the courage to make your own options.