In Tobias Wolff's "The Night in Question," the speaker reflects on the concept of survival and its significance. They identify as a survivor, a label that carries deep personal meaning but may not resonate in the context of an obituary. This raises questions about how one's life is summarized after death and what aspects are deemed worthy of remembrance.

The sentiment highlights a tension between individual experience and societal perceptions of one's life achievements. The speaker grapples with the idea that, despite feeling like a survivor, their true essence might not be captured in the conventional narrative of an obituary.