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The Screwtape Letters summary
Letters from a Senior to a Junior Devil
20 mins
Brief summary
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis is an epistolary novel consisting of a series of letters written by a senior devil to his nephew, an apprentice demon, providing insight into the nature of temptation and the weaknesses of human beings.
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The Screwtape Letters
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Faith and Reason
The preface of The Screwtape Letters, which is signed by C. S. Lewis himself, begins with a warning: that humans tend to fall into two main errors concerning devils. The first is disbelieving in their existence entirely. The second is believing in them so much that one becomes unhealthily obsessed. Naturally, the devils themselves are pleased about both errors. Materialists, disbelieving in devils, are unlikely to believe in God. And magicians, who become fascinated by devils, end up doing their bidding.
Next, Lewis warns readers that devils are liars. As such, the correspondence which he’s about to present should be taken with a grain of salt. The overall message is clear: readers may be wary of or amused by devils, but there’s no reason to put them on a pedestal.
With that, the letters begin. The first gives readers a brief sense of the characters. The author of the letters is Screwtape, a senior devil with an authoritative, occasionally biting tone. The recipient is his nephew Wormwood, a junior devil still naive and unskilled in the ways of temptation. Finally, there’s an Englishman called “the patient.” Wormwood’s task is to draw this “patient” into damnation, away from heaven, so he can become food for “Our Father Below” – also known as Satan.
At the very beginning, the patient hasn’t yet converted to Christianity. But Wormwood is already making a mistake: believing that he can keep the patient away from God through logical reasoning alone. These days, Screwtape writes, people don’t think of doctrines as “true” or “false.” Instead, they apply adjectives like “outdated” or “contemporary,” “academic” or “practical” – you get the idea. What matters is that the patient feels righteous about his beliefs – that’s all he really cares about, anyway.
Why not use argument? Well, because devils aren’t the only ones who can argue – God can too. And once a person’s capacity for reason wakes up, it’s difficult to control where it takes them from there.
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What is The Screwtape Letters about?
The Screwtape Letters (1942) is a satirical novel in the form of letters written from one demon to another. Senior demon and hellish administrator Screwtape shares advice and lessons with his nephew, Wormwood, who is tasked with tempting his “patient” away from God and toward Satan. As such, readers see the ordinary troubles and temptations of human life depicted from a devil’s point of view.
The Screwtape Letters Review
The Screwtape Letters (1942) by C.S. Lewis offers a captivating and unique perspective on the battle between good and evil. Here’s why this book is worth reading:
- Its imaginative portrayal of the devil's temptations and the psychology behind them challenges readers to reflect on their own moral choices.
- Through a series of letters from a senior demon to his nephew, Lewis provides thought-provoking insights into human nature and the tactics of evil.
- The book's darkly humorous tone adds a layer of entertainment and makes the exploration of morality and spirituality more accessible.
Who should read The Screwtape Letters?
- Satire lovers with an interest in Christian theology
- Non-Christians with a self-deprecating streak
- Narnia fans who want to sample another of Lewis’s works
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The Screwtape Letters FAQs
What is the main message of The Screwtape Letters?
The main message of The Screwtape Letters is a satirical exploration of human nature and the power of perspective.
How long does it take to read The Screwtape Letters?
The reading time for The Screwtape Letters varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Screwtape Letters a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Screwtape Letters is a thought-provoking book that offers unique insights into the human mind and morality. It's definitely worth reading.
Who is the author of The Screwtape Letters?
The author of The Screwtape Letters is C.S. Lewis.
What to read after The Screwtape Letters?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Screwtape Letters, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis
- Confessions by Saint Augustine
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
- Persuasion by Jane Austen
- Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson
- The Epic of Gilgamesh by Anonymous
- Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas
- Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
- House of Huawei by Eva Dou