The term "totter" frequently conveys both a literal lack of balance and a metaphorical sense of impending collapse in literature. It can vividly describe the physical unsteadiness of a character or structure—a person staggering as they try to rise [1], a mast swaying dangerously before falling [2], or even the subtle, tremulous movement of a woman’s diary handwriting [3]. At the same time, "totter" is employed symbolically to illustrate the precarious state of grand institutions or ideas, as when dynasties or empires begin to crumble [4], the foundations of religion are threatened [5], or a nation’s cultural bases risk falling apart [6]. This dual usage enriches narrative imagery, suggesting both tangible instability and the inevitable decline of what once stood firm [7].