Posthumanism in Harry Potter: Hallows, Horcruxes and Humanism

Voldemort's use of Horcruxes to reach immortality anchors his body to life, but mutilates his soul. He transforms from a mortal human into a posthuman by using the magical equivalent of technology that not only costs the mutilation of his soul, but requires the murder of other human beings. It is the irony of his attempts to extend his own life through destruction which allows Harry Potter to defeat him. Harry privileges Dumbledore's enlightened humanism, transhumanism and value of love, which allows Harry to master death in a way that Voldemort cannot understand, which both contrasts and complicates Harry's humanism and Voldemort's posthumanism.