TEST #1: THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS

Some objectives we are hoping to accomplish by taking this C. S. Lewis
course:
1.
2.
3.

Various kinds of writing in which Lewis excelled are:
1.
2.
3.
4.

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS: the Prefaces

1. Lewis dedicated THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS to:

2. The kind of literary form in which THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS
was written is:

3. As Lewis recounts it, how did at least one person misread the letters of
Screwtape when they were published?

4. How does Lewis respond to the question: "Do you believe in the devil?"

5. What are two equal and opposite errors into which humans fall regarding
devils?
a.
b.

6. How did Lewis arrive at names for his devils?

7. Lewis' avowed purpose for writing THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS was
not to        but rather

8. What do you make of the fact that during the darkest days of World War
II when Lewis write THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS (1942), that he hardly mentions
the war at all in this work?

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS themselves:

1. What does Screwtape mean when he tells Wormwood that "The trouble about
argument is that it moves the whole struggle onto the Enemy's own ground."?

2. According to Screwtape, why is there no need to despair even though the
"patient" has become a Christian?

3. List three pieces of devilish advice given about prayer:
a.
b.
C.

4. Finish this sentence by Screwtape: "He wants men to be concerned with
what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about . . .

5. For Screwtape, what is more important than the number of people killed
in war?

6. If the "patient" cannot be kept out of the church, what strategy can be
used once he is inside the church?

7. What is the Law of Undulation?

How can it be used by the devil?

8. What mystery cannot the forces of Hell understand about the Enemy?

9. The most effective way to get people into Hell is not by promoting
spectacular crimes, but rather by:

10. Why is flippancy the best kind of humor for devils to encourage?

11. In the eyes of the Enemy (God), true humility is not putting oneself
down, but rather:

12. How can the state of "being in love" be used by the devil?

13. Is Screwtape correct in his summary of the Enemy's position concerning
sex and marriage as being "either complete abstinence or unmitigated
monogamy"?
Why or why not?

14. Distinguish between:
a. sexuality:
b. sensuality:

15. Often, the devil's way of assaulting one's morals is by darkening his:

16. Why are the possessive pronouns "my" and "mine" so useful to the devil?

17. How can the concept of being "unselfish" work to the devil's advantage?

18. Why is pride the deadliest of all sins?

19. What is "mere Christianity"?

20. How does Screwtape suggest counteracting "mere Christianity"?

21. Why does Screwtape promote the idea that "history is bunk"?

22. How does Screwtape suggest handling the question of how to think about
Jesus?

23. In what way does Screwtape desire Wormwood?

from "Screwtape Proposes a Toast"

1. What composes the delectable drink Screwtape uses in his toast?

2. What is the quality of the souls upon which the devils are feasting?
Why is this so?

3. According to Screwtape, the job of Tempters is to harden small choices
into:
and then turn these into:

4. Why should Tempters promote a spirit of democracy or "I'm as good as you,"
especially in the field of education?

Some Concluding Questions:

1. Does the literary style of THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS communicate
effectively?  Why or why not?

2. What insights have you gotten about the character of man (yourself)
from reading THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS?
a.
b.
c.
d.

3. List as many overall themes which are treated in THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS
as you can below:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

4. In addition to the above, what is one key insight you have gained from
reading THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS?