Questions and Answers
Who is the author of the Screwtape Letters?
C.S. Lewis
What is the genre of the Screwtape Letters?
Epistolary fiction
What is the setting of the Screwtape Letters?
WWII England, hell
What is the main theme of the Screwtape Letters?
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What does C.S. Lewis say are the two errors people can make about demons?
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Who is 'the Enemy' in this book?
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Who is 'our Father' in this book?
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Who is Screwtape?
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Who is Wormwood?
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What is the relation between Screwtape and Wormwood?
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What are three terms Screwtape uses to describe humans?
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What advantage does Screwtape say God has over demons?
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What does Screwtape call the everyday distractions that can be used to keep people from God?
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According to Screwtape, why does God allow disappointments in the lives of Christians?
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How do the demons view the church?
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What does Screwtape say is God's curious fantasy about humans?
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What does Screwtape say is one of the demons' greatest allies once the patient has become a Christian?
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What is the best ally in keeping the patient from church?
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What are daily pinpricks?
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Who is Glubose?
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What are some ways Screwtape says Wormwood can use prayer to draw the patient away from God?
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What does Screwtape mean by 'the discreditable episode known as the incarnation'?
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What does Screwtape say Wormwood should make the patient feel when they are praying?
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How does Screwtape describe the war for demons?
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List two reasons the war is bad for Screwtape and the demons.
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What event prompts Wormwood to become delirious with joy?
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What is the real war Screwtape refers to?
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What are two things Screwtape says are great for barricading a human's mind against the Enemy?
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How do demons want humans to picture them?
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Screwtape says that all extremes except one are to be encouraged, what is the one?
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According to Screwtape, how do the demons view humans?
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According to Screwtape, what was one reason Satan withdrew support from God?
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According to the book, what is undulation?
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What does Screwtape call the low points or times in our life?
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What does Screwtape mean when he says that humans are amphibians?
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What is one thing demons can't make or give?
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What does Screwtape say they have managed to give a bad name to in the last century?
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Why does Screwtape say it is good to let the humans hang around with the wrong friends?
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What are the four types of laughter Screwtape describes?
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What does Screwtape say is an invaluable means of destroying shame in humans?
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Study Notes
Author and Genre
- C.S. Lewis is the renowned author of Screwtape Letters.
- The book falls under the genre of epistolary fiction.
Setting and Main Theme
- The narrative is set in WWII England and parts of hell.
- Central themes include temptation and spiritual warfare.
Characters
- "The Enemy" refers to God, while "our Father" denotes Satan.
- Screwtape is a senior demon and Uncle to Wormwood, a novice demon.
Demonic Perspective
- Humorously, Screwtape describes humans in derogatory terms: vermin, food, amphibians.
- Screwtape identifies God's advantage as His incarnation (becoming human).
Human Distractions
- Common distractions, termed "real life," are employed to divert humans from God.
- Disappointments in Christian lives serve to strengthen their faith according to Screwtape.
Church and Spiritual Warfare
- Demons perceive the church as an ally in their mission.
- Screwtape perceives God's desire for humans to be His loving, free sons as peculiar.
Challenges in Faith
- Hypocrisy within the church is a significant tool for demons post-conversion.
- Jargon is identified as a leading impediment to church attendance.
Prayer and the Incarnation
- Screwtape suggests trivializing prayer to distance the patient from God.
- The "discreditable episode known as the incarnation" refers to Jesus' birth.
War and Spiritual Conflict
- Screwtape likens the spiritual struggle to entertainment for demons.
- The real war discussed is the Spiritual War, despite the distractions of earthly conflicts.
Human Experience
- "Undulation" describes the fluctuations in human life, capturing the essence of spiritual highs and lows.
- Low points are termed "troughs," essential for growth.
Views on Humanity
- Screwtape asserts that demons see humans primarily as food.
- Mentioned is that Satan withdrew support from God due to the unique love for humans.
Humor and Shame
- Laughter types include flippancy, joke proper, fun, and joy, with humor recognized as key to diminishing human shame.
- The perception of friendships is that poor associations lead humans away from God.
Final Observations
- All human extremes are encouraged by demons except devotion to God, regarded as a threat.
- Real pleasures are classified as unattainable for demons, emphasizing their deceptive nature.
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Description
Test your knowledge on C.S. Lewis's 'The Screwtape Letters' with these flashcards. This quiz covers key elements such as the author, genre, setting, and main themes of the book. Perfect for anyone studying this classic work of literature.