1. Introduction: Connecting the Hero’s Journey to Post-Apocalyptic and Western Narratives The hero’s journey, a narrative framework identified by Joseph Campbell, has long served as a blueprint for storytelling across cultures and genres. This archetypal pattern, which traces a hero’s path from initial call to adventure through trials, revelations, and eventual return, resonates deeply within Western and post-apocalyptic narratives alike. Both genres explore themes of survival, morality, and transformation, making…



