Literary writers deploy "lethargic" to evoke a sense of sluggish indolence that can pertain both to characters and to entire atmospheres. It often describes physical states of torpor or inactivity—as when a mind or body succumbs to exhaustion or disease ([1], [2], [3])—while simultaneously suggesting emotional or intellectual inertia. In some narratives, the term contrasts sharply with moments of sudden vitality or transformation, heightening the impact of renewed energy ([4], [5]), whereas in others it imbues settings with a pervasive, almost melancholic quietude that mirrors the languid pace of life or even societal decay ([6], [7], [8]). This multifaceted use of "lethargic" enriches textual mood and emphasizes the tension between dormant states and the impulse for action.