The term “distress” is used in literature as a versatile marker of both internal anguish and external adversity. In some works it conveys an overwhelming emotional burden or internal suffering, as when a character wears a look of profound sorrow ([1]) or is described as being mentally overwhelmed ([2]). In other texts, it denotes physical or societal hardship, where characters grapple with dire circumstances—be it the scarcity of resources ([3]), the rigors of public misfortune ([4]), or the tumult of war and revolution ([5]). The word also assumes mythic and historical gravitas, appearing in epic narratives and sacred writings to signal inescapable doom or to elicit compassion ([6], [7]). This layered application enriches character development and deepens thematic conflicts, making “distress” a potent literary device across genres and periods.