The Screwtape Letters: Chapters 1-6 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What are the 2 mistakes mankind can make regarding the devil?

Overestimating his power

Having an unhealthy interest in him (correct)

Ignoring him completely

Believing he does not exist (correct)

Who is Wormwood?

A novice devil, Screwtape's nephew who has been assigned the patient.

Who is Screwtape?

An experienced wise old devil.

Who is the patient?

The devil's charge; it is that devil's responsibility to bring the patient to Hell. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Enemy?

God. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Our Father Below?

Satan. Signup and view all the answers

What did Screwtape say was not the way to 'win over' the patient?

By argument. Signup and view all the answers

Why is argument not the best way to 'win over' the patient?

Because then he would invoke reason and that would start him down the path of thinking about God. Signup and view all the answers

What did Screwtape suggest works better?

Distracting him by getting him to react to immediate sensory experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What example did Screwtape use to support his position?

An atheist was reading a book. He started to question faith. God tried to intervene by helping him to think and question. Screwtape distracted him by thinking about lunch and the newsboy. Signup and view all the answers

What is Screwtape upset about in Letter 2?

That Wormwood's patient has become a Christian. Signup and view all the answers

According to Screwtape, why do most 'converts' revert?

Bad habits, the Church (poorly educated Christians and clergy, annoying habits of fellow Christians, disappointments or anti-climax from expectations), and they have no real humility yet. Signup and view all the answers

If a Christian successfully makes it through this initial dryness, why do the devils have to work harder?

The patient becomes less dependent on emotion and harder to tempt. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Glubose?

The devil in charge of the patient's mother. Signup and view all the answers

How does Screwtape propose Wormwood focus on the patient's prayers for his mom?

Only on her spiritual needs, not physical needs. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Screwtape suggest focusing solely on spiritual needs?

It will make him see his mother as a different person because he is removing all of her physical ailments. Signup and view all the answers

How else did Screwtape propose using their relationship to do harm?

Concentrate on their annoying habits, but don't let them suspect that they have annoying habits themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What charge did Screwtape give to Wormwood at the end of the letter?

Figure out the mother's religious position. Signup and view all the answers

In the first paragraph of Chapter 4, what does Screwtape scold Wormwood for regarding prayer?

He only seeks to blame others, especially when his own 'advice' goes awry. Signup and view all the answers

What advice did Screwtape give to Wormwood regarding prayer?

Don't let the patient engage in deep prayer, persuade him that bodily position makes no difference, keep his prayers focused on the patient, not on God. Signup and view all the answers

What 'incalculable situation' may arise regarding prayer?

He may trust himself completely to God. Signup and view all the answers

What was Wormwood excited about in letter 5?

World War I had broken out. Signup and view all the answers

According to Screwtape, what is the reward for all of a devil's labors?

The anguish and bewilderment of a human soul. Signup and view all the answers

Why is war good for the devils?

It is entertaining, causes immediate fear and suffering of humans. Signup and view all the answers

Why is war bad for the devils?

People realize they may die and prepare accordingly. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the devil's best weapons?

Contented worldliness. Signup and view all the answers

What was Screwtape delighted about in letter 6?

That the patient could be called up for military service but was not certain. Signup and view all the answers

How should Wormwood use that fear to his advantage?

Focus not on what is feared, but fear itself. Signup and view all the answers

What visual did Screwtape give Wormwood to think about his patient?

In the fantasy world. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Will' represent?

Inner circle. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Intellect' represent?

Middle circle. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Fantasy' represent?

Outer circle. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Screwtape Letters: Chapters 1-6 Summary

Two primary misconceptions about the devil: disbelief in his existence and an unhealthy obsession with him.
Wormwood, a novice devil, is responsible for a human referred to as "the patient."
Screwtape is a seasoned devil and Wormwood's mentor, guiding him in corrupting the patient.
The patient’s ultimate fate under the devil’s influence is to be led to Hell.
The term "Enemy" refers to God, while "Our Father Below" signifies Satan.
Screwtape emphasizes that reasoned arguments are ineffective in securing the patient's allegiance.
Argumentation can trigger the patient’s reason, consequently leading to contemplation about God.
Successful strategies involve distraction through immediate sensory experiences rather than logical debate.
An example illustrated by Screwtape: An atheist distracted from contemplating faith by mundane thoughts about lunch, preventing spiritual reflection.
Screwtape expresses discontent in letter 2 over Wormwood’s patient converting to Christianity.
Converts often revert due to bad habits, disappointing church experiences, and lack of true humility.
If a Christian perseveres through spiritual dryness, it necessitates a more vigorous effort from devils to tempt him.
Glubose is the devil assigned to manipulate the patient’s mother.
Screwtape advises Wormwood to focus the patient’s prayers on his mother's spiritual needs, downplaying her physical ailments.
The goal is to alter the patient’s perception of his mother, distancing him from her humanity by separating spiritual from physical concerns.
Wormwood is encouraged to foster resentment by focusing on the mother's annoying habits while keeping the patient blind to his own faults.
A directive to Wormwood includes discerning the mother’s religious beliefs to exploit any weaknesses for further irritation.
Screwtape criticizes Wormwood for misunderstanding prayer, showcasing devils' tendency to deflect blame for failures.
Wormwood is told to discourage deep prayer, ensure the patient’s prayers are self-focused, fostering the illusion of effective spirituality.
The "incalculable situation" may arise where the patient fully entrusts himself to God, a significant threat to the devils’ scheme.
Wormwood is initially excited about the outbreak of World War I, viewing it as an opportunity for chaos.
For devils, a primary reward is the suffering and confusion experienced by human souls.
War offers immediate fear and suffering, which is gratifying for devils, but it also leads people to face their mortality, creating potential for spiritual awakening.
Contented worldliness is one of the most effective temptations for human souls.
Screwtape finds pleasure in the uncertainty concerning the patient's military service, believing it fuels anxiety and dread.
Wormwood should manipulate the patient's fear, ensuring it is perceived merely as suffering rather than a divine test.
Screwtape presents a metaphorical structure of human nature: virtues should reside in the 'fantasy world', illustrating manipulation through imagined ideals.
Inner circle represents the 'will', the middle circle embodies 'intellect', and the outer circle symbolizes 'fantasy'.

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Description

Test your understanding of the first six chapters of 'The Screwtape Letters' by C.S. Lewis. This quiz covers key themes, character dynamics, and the strategies used by Screwtape and Wormwood. Delve into the complexities of temptation and spiritual warfare as depicted in these chapters.