Content Warning: This section contains references to shipwreck, accidental injury and death, violence, childhood bullying, self-amputation, self-harm, autocannibalism, illegal drug trading and use, psychological distress, and racist attitudes, including racial slurs.

The foremost theme of “Survivor Type” is the instinct to survive. This is framed by the story’s title and epitaph that set up the narrative’s exploration of the drive for survival, focusing on the conflict between Pine’s efforts to survive and his gradual physical self-annihilation and loss of self. The story also includes other figures’ survival instincts, creating comparisons for Pine and revealing his attitudes.

The story’s title and epitaph immediately inform the reader of the centrality of survival. In asking the question “How badly does the patient want to survive?” (399) the story warns the reader that this will be the main point of interest, applied to Pine specifically. The title “Survivor Type” is significant not only because of “survivor” but because “type” highlights the convention of (stereo)typical characteristics linked to survival, both positive and negative. The story asks whether Pine has these characteristics, and whether he views himself as having them.

The story repeats the word “survive”/”survival” six times following the epitaph.