The Survivalist: Plot & Characters

Plot Overview

• Amidst a resource-scarce future following the decline of oil production and rise of world population, a survivalist's isolated existence is disrupted by the arrival of a woman and her daughter seeking refuge.
• The survivalist is haunted by memories of his wife and son and a constant need to protect his resources.
• Trust is tested, alliances are forged, and hidden desires surface as they navigate a world plagued by scarcity and violence.

Characters

• The Survivalist is a skilled and resourceful individual in his late 30s living in isolation, cautious and haunted by his past.
• Kathryn is a middle-aged woman who is resourceful and observant.
• Milja has a striking beauty, is the daughter of Kathryn, and forms a complicated relationship with the protagonist.
• The Forager is a desperate individual who attempts to steal food from the survivalist's farm.
• Linda Tallis (mentioned) is the survivalist's deceased wife, a journalist who investigated the impending resource crisis.

Key Story Elements

• World population maps increase and oil decreases exponentially leading to disaster.
• Scarcity of Resources is the central theme, illustrated through limited food, fuel, and essential supplies, which drives conflict and shapes behavior.
• The traps laid by the Survivalist shows a hostile environment where people will go to any lengths to survive.
• The King James Bible was a personal item of Mark (The Forager), inscribed by his mother.
• The Death Cap mushrooms signify danger and the lengths people will go to for nourishment, highlighting potential toxicity and survival trade-offs.
• The dog-eared photos of Linda Tallis are a symbol of cherished memories consumed by grief, eventually burned.
• The makeshift cling-film insulation, stainless steel tools, and solar panels emphasize self-sufficiency and resourcefulness.
• The King James Bible acts as a source of knowledge, comfort, and even utility, shown through reading, tearing pages for practical use, and hiding items.
• A mantrap is discovered.
• The group share supplies but the survivalist rations himself more
• Flashbacks reveal a past life and grief experienced by the survivalist
• Seeds and crops have become a form of currency in the bleak setting.
• The razor discovered is sharp enough to cut but create scars.
• The murder is an act of violence with a tragic element
• A post-coital pee occurs.
• After death, the body is used for compost.
• Death caps are poisonous mushrooms that are used as bait later on.
• The Forager is killed with a poacher trap.
• Forager's clothes are recycled.
• Allusion later on to cannibalism for a food source.

New Characters and Conflicts

• Kathryn and Milja seek shelter at the survivalist's cabin, testing his self-reliance and the delicate balance of his existence.
• Milja attempts to shave the survivalist.
• Uneven distribution of meals causes a power dynamic.
• Milja tells tales of living on a commune with others.
• A relationship develops between Milja and the survivalist.
• The Bible is used to hide ammo.
• There is an offer for Kathryn and Milja are offered to stay the night which changes the group dynamics.
• Survivalist kills a Snatcher.
• Kathryn also dies after trying the forbidden mushrooms.
• A settlement is looming.
• Milja has a pregnancy potentially.

Themes

• Isolation vs. Connection explores the survivalist's journey from solitude to reluctantly forming bonds with others, raising questions about the necessity and dangers of human connection.
• Distrust vs. Trust is prevalent as the survivalist grapples with uncertainty about the motives and intentions of newcomers, leading to tense alliances and power struggles.
• The Value of Resources is highlighted as scarcity drives the survivalist to extreme measures, revealing ethical challenges and moral compromises in pursuit of survival.
• Loss and Trauma explores the deep-seated emotional scars carried by characters, impacting their decisions and shaping their outlook on a bleak future.