Screwtape Analysis Draft 2

Jerica Yamada

Mrs. Baniaga

Honors Brit Lit

The Screwtape Letters Literary Analysis

In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis demonstrates that the theme of persuasion is the source that causes a broken relationship between God and man. Screwtape, a demon, trains his nephew,Wormwood, into influencing other patient’s thoughts onto the path of corruption. Screwtape’s letters contain great thought, and C.S Lewis brings out the wicked, deceptive thought of persuasion that can transform an individual’s relationship with God through Screwtape’s mind tricks.

Screwtape’s mind tricks are another tool he uses to persuade his patient’s thinking. In Chapter Four, he instructs Wormwood to teach his patient how to pray, but in an unmannerly way. “The best thing, where it is possible, is to keep the patient from the serious intention of praying altogether” (Lewis 15). Additionally, Screwtape tricks his patient into believing that simple and meaningless prayers are the correct way to talk with God. However, it leads to a lack of connection and concentration with God. “Whatever their bodies do affects their souls” (Lewis 16); distractions, at this point, are Screwtape’s best device. During the time of prayer, he tempts his patients to stray away from the true focus because when praying in a quiet place with his head bowed and eyes closed, the patient is more open to connect with God. Screwtape also instructs Wormwood that “the simplest is to turn their gaze away from Him towards themselves” (Lewis 16), which generates the characteristic of selfishness instead of using prayers initially to build a relationship with God.

Screwtape is a demon, and all demons are liars; his mind tricks are the basis to his system of beliefs. Screwtape, in Chapter Twelve, tempts his patient once again into believing that “small” sins are just nudges and should not be burdened with guilt. However, this is the starting point on how Satan tempts people with

this cycle; if he can get a hold of little actions, there is nothing stopping him from tempting Christians with “bigger” sins. However....“You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy” (Lewis 60). Screwtape portrays a point that Satan is always out to get Christians and destroy their relationship with God, but it is the Christian’s job to remain faithful to Him. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 it says, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Therefore, throughout The Screwtape Letters, Screwtape himself instructs Wormwood to persuade his patient to destroy his relationship with his Creator. However, Satan corrupts the minds of both Christians and non-believers; Screwtape’s mind tricks contribute to this path of temptation, which affects and shatters the relationship between the patient and God. All people are lead into temptation at one point in their life; I John 1:9 should be a great reminder that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Work Cited

Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters. Mattituck, NY: American Reprint, 1996. Print.