Archetypal Analysis and Post-Modern Mythmaking in Selected Works of Rick Riordan

Abstract This research explores how Rick Riordan’s The Trials of Apollo series reinterprets classical Greek mythology through the frameworks of Joseph Campbell’s monomyth and Richard Kearney’s postmodern mythmaking. While Riordan retains archetypal structures of the hero’s journey, his narratives simultaneously subvert traditional heroic models by presenting flawed, humorous, and morally complex protagonists. Through themes of identity, inclusivity, disability representation, and moral ambiguity, Riordan reconstructs myth for contemporary young adult audiences. This study examines how Riordan blends ancient archetypes with modern sensibilities, reshaping mythic traditions to represent evolving cultural concerns about heroism, justice, and ethical responsibility.