The term "decoy" in literature spans a range of uses, from its literal sense as a lure or bait to a more metaphorical function as a diversion or misdirection. In some works it designates an actual object or living thing used to ensnare, as seen in the simple label of a "Decoy duck" in Joyce's Ulysses [1] or the trained bird acting as a lure in Aesop's fables [2]. In other contexts, "decoy" takes on a figurative meaning, describing a strategic device to mislead or distract, as in Chopin’s portrayal of a natural provision to secure mothers [3] or as a tool of manipulation in Doyle’s Hound of the Baskervilles [4]. Authors like Twain [5] and Dostoyevsky [6] invoke the term to evoke the interplay of deceit, misdirection, and moral complexity in human affairs. Additionally, the word signals a broader cultural motif, appearing in both playful and sinister contexts—from literary trickery in Charles Baudelaire’s verse [7] to practical strategies in historical narratives [8]. Together, these examples underscore the rich, multifaceted symbolism of "decoy" across literary traditions.