Screwtape Letters Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What should Wormwood make the Patient mistake for purity?

Avoiding sex

What might prolonged, tragic adulteries lead to?

Murder and suicide

What does Screwtape say is a challenge when the Patient discovers lust is temporary?

Tempting the Patient with sex

What are the two types of women that every man has, according to Screwtape?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What should Wormwood encourage the Patient to feel regarding his time?

A sense of ownership Signup and view all the answers

Who is the 'Enemy' that Wormwood needs to distract the Patient from?

God Signup and view all the answers

Humans can truly claim ownership of anything, according to Screwtape.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the flaw in the Woman that Wormwood should exploit?

She has only ever known Christianity and virtuous beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape say is a method to corrupt the Patient's idea of Christianity?

Make faith into a fad Signup and view all the answers

What strategy does Screwtape suggest to Wormwood regarding the Patient's love?

Make them feel love has solved potential domestic problems. Signup and view all the answers

Screwtape views the War as irrelevant to his work with the Patient.

True Signup and view all the answers

What elements are combined to create 'Generous Conflict' according to Screwtape?

Trivial proposals causing disputes Signup and view all the answers

What does Wormwood fail to consider about the power of prayer?

He neglects simple requests for daily needs. Signup and view all the answers

Screwtape believes death is inherently evil.

False Signup and view all the answers

What emotion does the Patient feel during the first air raid?

Fear Signup and view all the answers

What is one of Screwtape's greatest weaknesses?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What does C.S. Lewis say about the correspondence between Screwtape and Wormwood in the preface?

He will not explain how he came across it and reminds the reader that devils are liars, so Screwtape's reports might not be accurate. Signup and view all the answers

In Letter 1, what does Screwtape advise Wormwood to use to tempt the Patient?

He should appeal to the Patient's emotions rather than convince him with arguments. Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape tell Wormwood about the people in the Patient's church in Letter 2?

The Patient expects an ideal spiritual church but will be disappointed by the ordinary and hypocritical nature of the members. Signup and view all the answers

How does Screwtape suggest Wormwood manipulate the Patient's relationship with his mother?

By encouraging the Patient to focus on his mother's annoying habits and making the conversion seem internal and grand. Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape say about prayer in Letter 4?

It is best to keep the Patient from praying at all, but if he does, his prayers should focus on his feelings rather than God. Signup and view all the answers

What caution does Screwtape give regarding the start of World War II in Letter 5?

War might lead humans to redemption and turn them to the Enemy, which could undermine Wormwood's goals. Signup and view all the answers

What general rule does Screwtape offer for keeping the Patient in a state of uncertainty in Letter 6?

Encourage the Patient to focus only on objects and keep him from being self-aware. Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape believe about devils being concealed in Letter 7?

Devils should keep themselves concealed to make humans skeptics and disbelievers in spirits. Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape warn about the Patient's emotional state in Letter 8?

The Patient may be in a trough, but troughs are more useful for winning souls than peaks. Signup and view all the answers

How can Wormwood exploit the Patient's trough according to Letter 9?

By keeping the Patient from recognizing that the trough is temporary and encouraging sensual temptations. Signup and view all the answers

What effect do new friends have on the Patient in Letter 10?

They serve as a worldly temptation, making him feel superior and vain. Signup and view all the answers

What are the causes of laughter that Screwtape identifies in Letter 11?

Joy, Fun, the Joke Proper, and Flippancy. Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape want Wormwood to prevent the Patient from recognizing in Letter 12?

That he has been moving away from the Enemy. Signup and view all the answers

How does Screwtape describe the 'asphyxiating cloud' around the Patient in Letter 13?

It is the Enemy's grace that protects the Patient from temptation during spiritual awakenings. Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape suggest about humility in Letter 14?

Wormwood should make the Patient's humility a source of pride. Signup and view all the answers

What concern does Screwtape express at the end of Letter 15?

Whether the Patient will be tortured by fear or naively confident about the future. Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape warn about evaluating churches in Letter 16?

The Patient should be indecisive and critical instead of seeking to learn. Signup and view all the answers

How does Screwtape describe modern gluttony in Letter 17?

It focuses on a gluttony of refinement rather than excess. Signup and view all the answers

In Letter 18, what does Screwtape say about human sexuality?

Humans often mistake sexual infatuation for love and think they must be in love to marry. Signup and view all the answers

How does Screwtape describe the Enemy's concept of love in Letter 19?

He claims the Enemy doesn’t truly love humans and that love is a contradiction. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Letter 1

C.S. Lewis presents a correspondence between two devils, Screwtape and Wormwood, discussing temptations.
Screwtape advises Wormwood to avoid arguments and instead appeal to the Patient's emotions.
Ordinary distractions, such as lunch, can draw the Patient away from contemplating the Enemy's existence.

Letter 2

Screwtape criticizes Wormwood for not preventing the Patient’s conversion to Christianity.
The Patient’s expectations of an ideal Church conflict with reality, which can lead to disillusionment.
Emphasizing disappointment is crucial as it marks significant life transitions, making the Patient easier to tempt.

Letter 3

Screwtape suggests that Wormwood should distort the Patient's relationship with his mother.
Encourage the Patient to pray for his mother's sins, fostering a judgemental attitude.
Misinterpretations of tone and focus on her flaws will breed conflict between them.

Letter 4

Screwtape discusses the significance of prayer, advising Wormwood to keep the Patient from praying.
If the Patient does pray, he should focus on his feelings rather than on God or genuine petitions.
Misplaced focus can lead to idolatry of images instead of true divine connection.

Letter 5

Screwtape warns that excitement over World War II may backfire in undermining the Patient’s faith.
War can lead people towards spiritual reflection and redemption, which works against their aims.
Preferable circumstances for devils involve lengthy suffering in less impactful environments.

Letter 6

The Patient's uncertain draft status creates anxiety; Screwtape encourages this uncertainty.
Keeping the Patient self-focused will distract from recognizing any spiritual tests.
Hatred should be directed towards immediate neighbors, distorting perspective on moral intentions.

Letter 7

Screwtape emphasizes the importance of devils remaining concealed to foster skepticism in humans.
He notes that extremes such as extreme patriotism or pacifism can be manipulated to corrupt the Patient.
Encouraging both views fosters conflicts over earthly issues rather than spiritual connection.

Letter 8

Screwtape laments mishaps at the devil Training College, emphasizing humans’ fluctuating nature.
Troughs in life present ample opportunity for opportunities to lead souls astray.
Free will is a significant element of the Enemy’s relationship with humanity, providing autonomy even in hardship.

Letter 9

In trough periods, Screwtape suggests maximizing sensual temptations to exploit the Patient's vulnerabilities.
The illusion of a permanent trough can lead to despair and disconnection from spiritual peaks.
The Patient's misconceptions about emotional highs and lows can be manipulated for prolonged negativity.

Letter 10

Screwtape is pleased with the Patient's new friends, who embody worldly and skeptical characteristics.
Friendship can lead to vanity, making the Patient feel superior and distracting from spiritual principles.
Consumption of goods and neglecting responsibilities will push the Patient further from personal growth.

Letter 11

Screwtape analyzes laughter's various causes, identifying flippancy as the most dangerous.
Flippant attitudes breed indifference toward virtue and spiritual matters.
Jokes can lead to moral laxity, while genuine joy struggles to distract from the Enemy's influence.

Letter 12

Screwtape praises Wormwood's progress but emphasizes the importance of concealment in the Patient's spiritual decline.
Ensuring the Patient feels vaguely guilty without a clear cause hampers his spiritual growth.
Distraction from prayer leads to a lifeless existence, away from fun or righteousness.

Letter 13

Screwtape is frustrated with the Patient’s renewed faith, attributing it to the Enemy's grace.
Healthy pleasures and genuine realities can disrupt the Patient’s false values.
Preventing any action from the Patient’s repentance is critical to maintain a sinful state.

Letter 14

The Patient's growing humility presents risks, which Screwtape counters by promoting pride in that humility.
The essence of true humility is self-forgetfulness; the goal is to distort this for self-satisfaction.
The Enemy desires mutual joy in human accomplishments over selfish focuses on individual success.

Letter 15

In wartime lulls, Screwtape contemplates whether to amplify anxiety or foster false confidence in the Patient.
Keeping the focus on future concerns detracts from present duties and spiritual work.
The Patient must remain unaware of the spiritual implications of prioritizing future anxieties over present actions.

Letter 16

Screwtape expresses concern over the Patient's commitment to just one church, which might indicate spiritual sincerity.
Inducing indecision and criticism of church services promotes a cynical outlook on faith.
Joining social cliques within the church can distract from the essence of worship.

Letter 17

Screwtape observes gluttony’s evolving focus, shifting towards compulsive preferences rather than excess.
The Patient’s mother exemplifies how particular tastes masquerade as virtue, distracting from true indulgence.
Promoting vanity in the Patient towards refined tastes can lead to addiction and discontent.

Letter 18

Screwtape contrasts virtuous sexual options, indicating Hell’s strategy to blend desire with relation.
Misunderstanding love leads humans into confusion over relationships and chastity.
The Enemy's intent to make marital bonds significant is distorted by self-serving lust.

Letter 19

Screwtape defends Hell's manipulation of love, commenting on its contradictory nature.
Distorting perceptions of love can lead to disastrous decisions and reinforce sinful behaviors in humans.
The emotional and gullible nature of the Patient can be exploited towards tragic outcomes.

Letter 20

Screwtape notes the temporary nature of lust, suggesting the need for a "desirable" marriage.
Cultivating superficial desires and societal norms influence human decisions detracting from true relationships.
The focus on transitory beauty exacerbates fears of aging, leading to discord in genuine connection.

Letter 21

Sexual temptation represents a pivotal moment for instigating irritability in the Patient.
The illusion of ownership over time leads to frustration with interruptions, diminishing spiritual awareness.
Encouraging a sense of personal ownership further distances the Patient from practicing chastity.### The Nature of Ownership and Pride
Hell instills a sense of ownership in humans, blending pride with confusion.
The distinction between "my boots" and "my God" is often blurred through manipulation.
Ultimately, humans do not possess anything; their bodies, souls, and time truly belong to a higher power.

Letter 22 Insights

Wormwood reports Screwtape to the Secret Police for his comments.
A Christian woman intrigues the Patient, posing a threat to Wormwood's influence.
The Woman's family embodies disinterested love and a harmonious environment.
Screwtape longs to disrupt their peaceful home with chaos.

Letter 23 Dynamics

The Patient's social circle includes spiritually positive influences, complicating manipulation.
Wormwood is instructed to confuse the Patient's understanding of Christianity.
The historical Jesus should distract from the core tenets of faith, particularly the Resurrection and Redemption.
Hell desires Christianity to be used for ulterior motives rather than genuine principles.

Letter 24 Psychological Manipulation

Screwtape highlights the Woman’s unyielding faith as a potential tool for corruption.
The Patient is to be misled into believing he belongs to this virtuous family, fostering spiritual pride.
The need for gratitude towards the accepting family is obscured, creating an illusion of entitlement.

Letter 25 Trends in Faith

Screwtape considers the Patient’s interactions with merely Christian individuals as uninspired.
Suggestion to exploit faith as a trend, diverting focus from genuine spirituality to fads.
The confusion between genuine virtue and contemporary popularity leads to spiritual distraction.

Letter 26 Illusions of Love

The Patient's love for the Woman masks underlying domestic challenges.
False perceptions of altruism arise from sexual excitement, leading to relational misunderstandings.
Use of "Generous Conflict" in trivial matters can sow discord and unhappiness.

Letter 27 The Power of Prayer

The Patient’s sincere prayers counter Wormwood’s influence but focus on spiritual aid can still distract him.
Devils seek to undermine genuine connection to help and prayer, casting doubt on their efficacy.
Historical context is weaponized to diminish understanding and learning from the past.

Letter 28 Perspectives on War

The ongoing war affects the Patient's emotional state, presenting a manipulation opportunity for Wormwood.
Misinterpretation of death should be encouraged; it can be a positive transition for souls prepared spiritually.
Young idealists are more vulnerable to subtle degradation of eternal consciousness as life progresses.

Letter 29 Character Manipulation

Screwtape questions the paths to manipulate the Patient's bravery, cowardice, and hatred.
Hatred, when mixed with fear, can cloud judgment and distract from genuine moral clarity.
Cowardice is a challenge; manipulation should aim at inducing superstition to distract from true virtue.

Letter 30 Emotional Turmoil

The Patient feels fear during air raids, indicating a loss of pride despite dutiful action.
Screwtape reveals Hell's simplistic justice system: reward or consume souls based on failure.
Moderate fatigue is a strategy for manipulation, creating irritability without granting peace or clarity.

Letter 31 Final Reflections

Screwtape expresses concern over Wormwood's failures, equating them with personal disappointment.
The Patient’s swift acceptance of death during an air raid is seen as a victory over Hell's influence.
Screwtape's final thoughts underscore Hell's limitations and its inability to fully comprehend the divine strategy.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the insights of C.S. Lewis in his work 'The Screwtape Letters' through this set of flashcards. Each card summarizes key concepts from Screwtape's correspondence with Wormwood. Test your understanding of temptation and moral philosophy as expressed in this classic text.