Screwtape Letters Study Guide Flashcards

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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?

Temptation/spiritual warfare Signup and view all the answers

What does C.S. Lewis say are the two errors people can make about demons?

Disbelief, an excessive interest in them Signup and view all the answers

Who is 'the Enemy' in this book?

God Signup and view all the answers

Who is 'our Father' in this book?

Satan Signup and view all the answers

Who is Screwtape?

A senior demon/Wormwood's uncle Signup and view all the answers

Who is Wormwood?

A novice demon/nephew of Screwtape Signup and view all the answers

What is the relation between Screwtape and Wormwood?

Screwtape - Uncle, Wormwood - Nephew Signup and view all the answers

What are three terms Screwtape uses to describe humans?

Vermin, food, amphibians Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does Screwtape say God has over demons?

He became human Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape call the everyday distractions that can be used to keep people from God?

Real life Signup and view all the answers

According to Screwtape, why does God allow disappointments in the lives of Christians?

To grow our faith Signup and view all the answers

How do the demons view the church?

As an ally Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape say is God's curious fantasy about humans?

To be His sons and free lovers Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape say is one of the demons' greatest allies once the patient has become a Christian?

Hypocrisy of people in the church Signup and view all the answers

What is the best ally in keeping the patient from church?

Jargon Signup and view all the answers

What are daily pinpricks?

Annoyances Signup and view all the answers

Who is Glubose?

The mother's demon Signup and view all the answers

What are some ways Screwtape says Wormwood can use prayer to draw the patient away from God?

Make it not serious Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape mean by 'the discreditable episode known as the incarnation'?

Jesus' birth Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape say Wormwood should make the patient feel when they are praying?

Like they are not being heard Signup and view all the answers

How does Screwtape describe the war for demons?

Entertainment Signup and view all the answers

List two reasons the war is bad for Screwtape and the demons.

The patient is ready to die, and fights for a good cause Signup and view all the answers

What event prompts Wormwood to become delirious with joy?

The war Signup and view all the answers

What is the real war Screwtape refers to?

The Spiritual War Signup and view all the answers

What are two things Screwtape says are great for barricading a human's mind against the Enemy?

Suspense, anxiety Signup and view all the answers

How do demons want humans to picture them?

Cartoon figure in red tights Signup and view all the answers

Screwtape says that all extremes except one are to be encouraged, what is the one?

Devotion to God Signup and view all the answers

According to Screwtape, how do the demons view humans?

Food Signup and view all the answers

According to Screwtape, what was one reason Satan withdrew support from God?

God made humans and loved them Signup and view all the answers

According to the book, what is undulation?

The constant changes in our life; the ups and downs Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape call the low points or times in our life?

Troughs Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape mean when he says that humans are amphibians?

Half animal, half spirit Signup and view all the answers

What is one thing demons can't make or give?

Real pleasures Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape say they have managed to give a bad name to in the last century?

Puritanism Signup and view all the answers

Why does Screwtape say it is good to let the humans hang around with the wrong friends?

It drives them away Signup and view all the answers

What are the four types of laughter Screwtape describes?

Flippancy, joke proper, fun, joy Signup and view all the answers

What does Screwtape say is an invaluable means of destroying shame in humans?

Humor Signup and view all the answers

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.