Authors employ "surprised" to capture a moment of abrupt, often multifaceted reaction, whether it be a physical startle, an emotional awakening, or a sudden cognitive shift. In many instances, the word conveys not only an unexpected encounter from the world around the character—as when a visitor appears unannounced, unsettling the calm of an evening [1]—but also a deeper, sometimes ironic internal acknowledgment of change, as seen when terrifying emotions give way to a reflective astonishment [2]. At other moments, the term underscores social subtleties or humorous ironies, such as when a character’s polite astonishment reveals underlying tension or unspoken thoughts [3] [4]. This versatile use of "surprised" enriches narrative style by providing insight into character dynamics and setting the tone for ensuing developments.