Questions About The Screwtape Letters

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Answered Questions (11)

Is this book good? and has it got a happy ending.?

Sarah Matter This book is not only catered toward believers but also, non-believers because of the way C.S. Lewis writes. He tells the story of how Satan will take…moreThis book is not only catered toward believers but also, non-believers because of the way C.S. Lewis writes. He tells the story of how Satan will take control of your mind and how detrimental it will be when he has finished his work. It is interesting to hear/see it through the potential perspective of Satan's eyes. (less)

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Why do you think C.S. Lewis chose to write the Screwtape Letters in the form, similar, to a satire? Considering C.S. Lewis is looked up to among the Christian community, how hard would it be for him to write from the evil point of view?

Michelle In my personal opinion, he chose that style because he was originally posting the letters in 'The Guardian' and that style was easiest to manage week …moreIn my personal opinion, he chose that style because he was originally posting the letters in 'The Guardian' and that style was easiest to manage week to week. You wouldn't have had to read the previous weeks to understand what that weeks said.

As for the second question, Lewis himself was disturbed with what he had written, which is why it was so very important that it was written. The two most important things in any war are knowing the terrain that is being fought upon and the enemy one is fighting. What better way to learn one's enemy than to imagine the world in their eyes? By writing from evil's perspective Lewis opens our eyes to the tactics often used by the enemy (the Devil and his demons) to entrap us. The book, and the writing of it, greatly disturbed him for how easily it came. He had very little trouble imagining the demons and their particular schemes to trip their respective humans up. It opened his own eyes to the Evil surrounding him and how easily the devil could trick and trip a mind with the most simple of thoughts. Writing from that style also allowed us as a reader not to feel as though we were sitting in a lecture about what we shouldn't do and instead let us, if we so chose, to compare our own lives with the unfortunate characters in the book.(less)

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I want to read this book online how do i get access to reading online ?

Aya http://www.truechristianity.info/en/t...

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I am currently reading this and but am stuck wondering why the Satan character is called "Screwtape?" I know Wormwood is from Revelation. Anyone know where "Screwtape" came from?

Susanna Screwtape isn't actually supposed to represent Satan, he's just a fictional "very experienced devil" In the preface to my edition, Lewis explains that…moreScrewtape isn't actually supposed to represent Satan, he's just a fictional "very experienced devil" In the preface to my edition, Lewis explains that he just tried to think of names that sounded nasty. He says "I fancy that Scrooge, screw, thumbscrew, tapeworm, and red tape all do some work" in the name Screwtape.(less)

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Am I the only one that finds this a hard read?

Gabriella I'm taking this question to mean "why is this book boring" instead of "why is it difficult to literally read" (let me know if I'm interpreting this qu…moreI'm taking this question to mean "why is this book boring" instead of "why is it difficult to literally read" (let me know if I'm interpreting this question incorrectly):

I tried to read this years ago and found it quite boring. I was pretty young then and didn't really care for the theology. I prefered stories with action, which this book certainly does not have. I gave it a few years break and recently tried my hand at reading it. I LOVED it! So much in fact that I'm going to read it again. It's a book that makes you think and reflect. If you don't have an appreciation/taste for such things then this book may feel like a drag. I suggest you give it a few years before picking it up again. (less)

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Unanswered Questions (3)

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Why do people consider this satire? While this book includes social criticism, I don't really see how vices etc. are held up to ridicule. I also don't find the delivery of its arguments particularly ironic, sarcastic or witty. I'm not not reading this in English and I haven't finished it yet - I would be happy to learn what I am missing either culturally or from the story.

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Lewis himself said that the opposite of his book, meaning letters between guardian angels should be written. Do you know if something like that already exists?

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