Literary usage of "expiate" often resonates with a profound sense of atonement, where characters or ritual acts are invoked to cleanse sins or wrongdoings. Authors employ it to underscore the gravity of moral transgressions and the necessity for penance, whether through renunciation, sacrifice, or even suffering. In religious contexts, the term is invoked to describe sacred rites performed for purification, as seen in passages that dictate ritual cleansing of altars and sanctuaries ([1], [2], [3], [4], [5]). In more secular narratives, characters confront personal guilt or societal injustices by seeking redemption through enduring sacrifice or penitent behavior ([6], [7], [8], [9], [10]). Even when used in ironic or critical tones—questioning whether punishment could truly balance misdeeds—the word continues to convey a rich tapestry of both spiritual and humanistic imperatives for atonement ([11], [12], [13], [14]).