"The Screwtape Letters," penned by C. S. Lewis, constitutes an intriguing literary work
structured as a series of correspondences between Screwtape, a seasoned demon, and
Wormwood, his fledgling counterpart. The narrative's compelling nature lies in its adept
utilization of ironic reversal to examine Christianity from a novel vantage point, portraying its
potential corruption by evil forces. This departure from conventional perspectives proffers
readers the opportunity to reevaluate their beliefs and ethical codes.
The book's epistolary nature exclusively presents Screwtape's messages, with C. S. Lewis
purposefully obscuring the chronological order of these communications. Within these letters,
Uncle Screwtape counsels his nephew, Wormwood, on steering their human "patient" off the path
to divine redemption and toward the depths of damnation. The intricate mentorship dynamic
between Screwtape and Wormwood gives readers a distinct understanding of the machinations
and tactics employed by these infernal personages, enlightening them about the inner workings
of demonic influence.
6The novel introduces prominent characters with no descriptives, each serving pivotal roles in
the narrative. Notable figures include Screwtape, Wormwood, Our Father, The Enemy, and the
patient. Described as the Uncle Demon, Screwtape is an adept tempter who guides his nephew
demon, Wormwood, on tempting and swaying their designated patient. The story's outset delves
into Screwtape's conflicting sentiments as he revels in his nephew's minor triumphs while
reprimanding him for his missteps, especially as the patient increasingly embraces Christianity.
In the initial chapter, Screwtape counsels Wormwood to employ jargon rather than logical
discourse to dissuade the patient from attending church. He cautions that reasoned argumentation
might inadvertently stimulate the patient's rational faculties, potentially drawing him toward the
Enemy's teachings. Furthermore, Screwtape dissuades the use of science as a strategy, warning
that it could prompt the patient to contemplate realities beyond his comprehension.
Consequently, the focus should prioritize steering the patient towards material pursuits and
dissuading contemplation of abstract matters. Central to their efforts is the patient, a man in his
twenties grappling with the quest for meaning and purpose, often seeking direction from the
teachings of "The Enemy."
The letters in this collection notably abstain from providing physical descriptions of the
characters, emphasizing that demons can influence anyone. The methods employed by demons to
affect humans are diverse. While the common association involves the Devil implanting
wrongful thoughts in our minds, it is suggested that the Devil's most effective deception may not
involve inserting thoughts but rather preventing specific thoughts from entering our minds. The
primary strategy employed by the devils is not actively implanting thoughts into an individual's
mind but instead deliberately excluding particular ideas, as emphasized by Screwtape in the
fourth letter. This approach is consistently referenced directly or indirectly throughout the
correspondence. It's worth noting that Screwtape doesn't oppose Wormwood subtly suggesting or
"inserting" thoughts into his target's mind. Occasionally, an alternative thought may need to be
introduced to prevent unwelcome thoughts from taking hold, as explained in the final letter being
discussed.
In addition to diverting our attention to specific pleasures, the Devil's more substantial
influence may lead us to inaction – wasting time on trivial and inconsequential activities.
Screwtape cites a man in hell who realizes that he spent most of his life neither doing what he
ought nor what he liked. It is claimed that the road to hell is a gradual, gentle slope without
sudden turns or milestones. The Devil strives to hinder us from taking action and to confine
crucial thoughts and ideas to our minds, rendering them futile if they do not influence our will to
guide us toward the correct behavior and action.
Another tactic involves misleading humans about the true nature of humility, making them
believe it consists of having a low opinion of oneself rather than self-forgetfulness. Furthermore,
the Devil attempts to divert humans from focusing on the eternal and the present, where God
intends us to be. The present is the point where time intersects with eternity. Tempting humans
by excessively directing their attention toward the future, the Devil exploits the fact that nearly
all vices are rooted in the future. While gratitude looks to the past and love to the present, fear,
avarice, lust, and ambition concentrate on the future.
Finally, the Devil aims to skew humans’ perception of Christianity as a means to an end – to
view their faith as a tool for personal advancement or social justice, thus diverting their focus.
"Believe this, not because it is true, but for some other reason."
The human experience is a journey filled with ups and downs, a continuous ebb and flow that
shapes our lives. In his work, C.S. Lewis explores how the demon Screwtape exploits these low
points in human existence with great caution, tempting individuals with forbidden pleasures. He
describes how indulging in routine and satisfying pleasures can lead individuals to turn to God as
he creates these pleasures. Screwtape illustrates how demons can manipulate individuals during
their low moments, such as pushing someone to alcohol when they are feeling sorrowful or
tempting a person to commit adultery when they are angry. However, he also notes that these low
times can serve as opportunities for moral and spiritual growth, ultimately bringing the
individual closer to God.
In letter fifteen, Screwtape discusses the perception of time and how it can be used to tempt
individuals. He emphasizes that the past is frozen, and the present is illuminated with eternal
significance, as it is the meeting point of time and reality. He advises Wormwood to encourage
thoughts of the future, as it is the furthest from eternity. In the future, individuals can be tempted
by their hopes, dreams, and uncertainties, making manipulating their thoughts and actions easier.
In conclusion, C.S. Lewis leverages the perspective of Hell to illuminate what he believes are
the fundamental values of Christianity. It is worth noting that the non-chronological nature of the
letters and the absence of Wormwood's responses leave a gap in the collection, preventing a
deeper understanding of specific instances of demonic attacks on humans.
REFERENCES
Lewis, C. S..6The Screwtape Letters. Québec: POMODORO BOOKS, 2020. Accessed August
29, 2024. ProQuest Ebook Central.
Staff, YouVersion. “I Corinthians 10:12.” YouVersion | the Bible App | Bible.Com.
https://www.bible.com/bible/114/1CO.10.12.NKJV.
Patterson, Nancy-Lou. “Letters From Hell: The Symbolism of Evil in the Screwtape Letters.”
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
12, no. 1 (January 1, 1985): 11. https://dc.swosu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1646&context=mythlore.
Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters & Screwtape Proposes a Toast, 1942.
http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BB00654201.
Watkins, Duff. “The Screwtape Letters and Process Theism.” Process Studies 8, no. 2 (January 1,
1978): 114–18. https://doi.org/10.5840/process19788218.
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