Literary notes about flabbergasted (AI summary)
In literature, the word flabbergasted is employed to evoke a sudden, overwhelming sense of awe or disbelief, often capturing a moment when characters are rendered speechless by unexpected revelations or absurd situations. Authors use it not merely as a descriptor of shock but also to add humor and irony, as characters may be portrayed as almost comically overwhelmed by events unfolding around them ([1], [2]). In some narratives, flabbergasted intensifies the dramatic impact of a scene, highlighting the stark divide between expectation and reality ([3], [4]), while in others it serves to underline a character’s stunned reaction to the world’s unpredictability ([5], [6]). This flexible use enriches the narrative texture by emphasizing both the emotional and situational nuances of surprise.