The term stern assumes a variety of literary roles, oscillating between the literal and the metaphorical. In certain narratives it designates the rear part of a vessel, evoking a physical landmark on ships that emphasizes structure and direction ([1], [2], [3]). In other contexts, however, it imbues characters and settings with a sense of austere severity or unyielding moral rigor—as seen in depictions of resolute expressions or strict rebuke that underscore themes of authority and discipline ([4], [5], [6]). Frequently, such usage enriches the narrative by aligning the physical firmness of a ship’s stern with characters’ steadfast, often grim, dispositions in a world that is portrayed as harsh and unrelenting ([7], [8], [9]).