The word "gradient" in literature has been used in inventive and layered ways that transcend its literal meaning of slope or rate of change. In [1] from Joyce's Ulysses, the term appears as part of a playful and complex linguistic construction, evoking not only a sense of physical inclination but also suggesting a gradual progression or transformation in the narrative. Here, Joyce uses "gradient" to contribute to a mosaic of images where subtle shifts in tone and meaning mirror the shifting perspectives of his characters, illustrating how such a term can encapsulate both physical and metaphorical dimensions simultaneously.