Screwtape Analysis

In his book, The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis uses a unique perspective, through the use of epistolary form, to grant readers a distinct view into the minds of demons. First, Lewis uses a unique demonic perspective in order to reveal how demons can use fleshly habits in an effort to tempt humans. In chapter one, Screwtape says that he desires for people to be, “attending to universal issues and withdrawing attention from the steam of immediate sense experiences” (Lewis 2). Here, Screwtape tells Wormwood how to use something as small and simple as an everyday distraction to keep his patient from more important things like God. In chapter three, Screwtape shares about “daily pinpricks” or daily annoyances and how they can be used to build an aggravating tension that demons can in turn use to cause man to fall to different temptations (11). Screwtape also explains how pleasures such as sex and alcohol can be used as a temptation in chapter nine. He tells of “being in love” and “pressing drinks as an anodyne when he is dull and weary” and how these can easily develop into something more and lead to easy temptations (44). Second, Lewis uses a unique demonic perspective in order to reveal how demons can use originally moral conduct and twist it into something unmoral. In chapter two, Screwtape shows Wormwood how he can twist the act of going to church. Screwtape teaches Wormwood that he can get his patient to be extra critical about the church and those who attend church with him. Through his patient being critical, Wormwood can easily cause him to be distracted from the true purpose and intent of church. In chapter four, Screwtape addresses prayer and tells Wormwood of how “…whatever their bodies do affects their souls” and how Wormword can apply this even to his patient’s prayer to keep him from wholesome prayers (16). In chapter six, Screwtape informs Wormwood on how he can cause his patient to sin through him using up any benevolence he may have in areas that are unseen by those around him; therefore leaving any malice within him to be more likely exerted upon those he knows. Finally, Lewis uses a unique demonic perspective in order to reveal how demons can use human emotion in an effort to tempt humans. In chapter five, Screwtape tells Wormwood how he can use fear as a means of tempting his patient. When a person is fearful of the effects of war or death, if properly used, demons can use this fear to cause various sins in their patients’ lives. In chapters eight and nine, Screwtape tells Wormwood of how he can use the various uses of the constant ups and downs of his patient’s life to his advantage. Through learning how to best tempt his patient during both the peaks and troughs, and causing his patient to either forget about God or deny Him, Wormwood learns he can effectively control his patient at any given time. In chapter eighteen, Screwtape shows Wormwood how to use the emotion of love to cause both lust and things such as polygamy or unfaithfulness. Throughout the book, Lewis effectively shows readers the different techniques and areas that Satan uses on a daily basis to tempt us. By writing from a demonic perspective, Lewis allows his readers an especially unique view into the mind of Satan and the spiritual realm.

Works Cited
Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters. New York: Harper Collins, 2001. Print.