In literature, the term “famine” often functions as much more than a mere reference to hunger—it is a potent symbol of societal decay, divine judgment, and human suffering. Authors employ it literally to denote periods of severe deprivation and crisis, as seen in historical and biblical narratives [1, 2, 3, 4], while others extend its meaning to evoke the sweeping effects of war, misfortune, or moral bankruptcy [5, 6, 7, 8]. In works ranging from Dante’s epic depictions of hellish torments [9, 10, 11, 12, 13] to satirical and ironic commentaries on human nature and government [14, 15, 16, 17], famine emerges both as a physical catastrophe and a metaphor for a broader absence—whether of justice, compassion, or prosperity. This versatile usage underscores famine’s power as a literary device to highlight the vulnerabilities of civilization and the human condition.