Final answer:
The westward direction of Ulysses' journey symbolically represents the adventurous spirit, renewal, and rebirth associated with the American ethos of Manifest Destiny and westward expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symbolic implications of the westward direction of Ulysses' journey hold a rich array of meanings and connotations, particularly in the context of American history and literature. Ulysses, as a mythic character, often represents the human yearning for adventure and the pursuit of the unknown. The westward direction, especially during the era of American expansion, is imbued with cultural and historical symbolism.
Manifest Destiny and the idea of westward expansion are deeply embedded in American culture and literature, often associated with a sense of adventure and the frontier spirit. This is personified in the artwork "American Progress," where America, personified as a woman, moves westward, representing progress and the spread of enlightenment through education and technology such as the telegraph. Her journey west symbolizes not only the geographical but also the intellectual and spiritual journey of a nation and its people.
Considering this historical perspective, one could argue that the westward direction of Ulysses' journey conveys a sense of adventurous spirit, renewal and rebirth (Option B). This aligns with the 19th-century American ethos of exploration and expansion, and the belief in new beginnings as people moved towards the Pacific in search of new opportunities and the realization of the ‘American dream’.