Summary
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis offers a unique perspective on Christian faith and human nature through the lens of demonic correspondence. Published in 1942, this satirical novel presents a series of letters from a senior devil, Screwtape, to his nephew Wormwood, a junior tempter tasked with securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. With its witty and thought-provoking exploration of temptation, morality, and the human condition, The Screwtape Letters continues to captivate readers and spark lively discussions in both religious and literary circles.
Plot
The Screwtape Letters consists of 31 letters written by a senior demon named Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, a junior tempter. Wormwood has been assigned to guide a British man known as “the Patient” away from God and towards damnation. At the start, the Patient converts to Christianity, much to Screwtape's chagrin. The letters that follow contain Screwtape's advice to Wormwood on how to subtly undermine the Patient's faith and virtue.
Screwtape counsels Wormwood to focus on gradual temptation rather than dramatic sins, encouraging passivity, irresponsibility, and self-centeredness in the Patient. He explains that their goal is to cultivate humans as “food” for Hell, while God wants to transform them into His children. Screwtape discusses strategies for exploiting human weaknesses around topics like sex, love, pride, and gluttony.
As the story progresses, the Patient falls in love with a devout Christian woman and adopts a more religious lifestyle through her influence. This infuriates Screwtape, who at one point transforms into a centipede in his anger. The Patient may be in danger due to his civil defense duties during World War II, but Screwtape advises keeping him safe to allow for long-term corruption.
The final letter reveals that the Patient has been killed in an air raid, and his soul has gone to Heaven. Having failed in his mission, Wormwood is doomed to be devoured by the other demons, including Screwtape himself. Screwtape's last letter mockingly bids farewell to his nephew, saying Wormwood can expect as little mercy from him as Screwtape would expect if their situations were reversed.
Themes
Temptation and spiritual warfare
Human nature and psychology
Christian theology and morality
Satirical critique of modern society
Relationship between good and evil
Dangers of pride and self-centeredness
Journey of faith and spiritual growth
Setting
On the surface, The Screwtape Letters is set in England during World War II. The main human character, known only as “the Patient,” lives through air raids and faces the possibility of being called up for military service. The true setting of the novel, however, is the unseen spiritual realm. The story unfolds through letters written by the demon Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, revealing their attempts to corrupt and damn human souls. This hellish perspective provides a unique vantage point on ordinary human life and struggles.
Within this spiritual battleground, much of the action centers on the Patient's everyday life—his home, his church, his interactions with friends, and his romantic interests. The war creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and danger, but the demons are more concerned with the Patient's moral choices and spiritual development than his physical circumstances. Through this lens, Lewis examines both the mundane and profound aspects of a typical British life during wartime.
Characters
Screwtape: A senior demon who writes letters of advice to his nephew Wormwood. Screwtape is cunning, experienced, and knowledgeable about human nature and temptation. He takes a subtle approach to corrupting humans, preferring gradual influence over dramatic sins. As an administrator in Hell's bureaucracy, Screwtape represents the banality of evil.
Wormwood: A junior tempter demon and Screwtape's nephew. Wormwood is inexperienced and often makes mistakes in his attempts to corrupt “the Patient.” He is eager to tempt humans into dramatic sins but lacks the subtlety of his uncle. Wormwood's failures ultimately lead to his own destruction.
The Patient: The unnamed human man that Wormwood is attempting to tempt. He converts to Christianity early in the book, much to the demons' dismay. The Patient goes through various life experiences and temptations throughout the story, ultimately remaining faithful and going to Heaven after dying in the London Blitz.
The Girl: A Christian woman who becomes romantically involved with the Patient. Her positive influence and devout family help to strengthen the Patient's faith.
The Enemy: God, referred to as such by the demons. Portrayed as loving humanity and desiring their salvation.
Our Father Below: Satan, the ruler of Hell. Feared by the demons.
Slubgob: The principal of the Tempters' Training College for young devils. Mentioned occasionally by Screwtape.
Toadpipe: Screwtape's secretary, who transcribes his letters.
Quick facts
C.S. Lewis dedicated The Screwtape Letters to his close friend J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The book’s 31 letters were originally published weekly in The Guardian, an Anglican newspaper, in 1941.
Lewis chose the name Screwtape based on a suggestion from his brother Warnie.
Despite the book’s satirical nature, Lewis described writing from the devil's perspective as “not fun.”
Despite vowing to never write another “Letter” after completing the book, Lewis wrote a short sequel in 1959 called “Screwtape Proposes a Toast.”
The Screwtape Letters has inspired a comic book and an acclaimed stage adaptation that continues to be performed internationally.
In 2009, the book was adapted into an audio drama for Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, featuring the voice talents of Andy Serkis as Screwtape.
The Screwtape Letters has been published in more than 40 editions and sold over a million copies.
The character of Miss Wormwood in the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes was named after a character in this book.
An annotated edition of The Screwtape Letters with explanatory footnotes was published in 2013.
The Screwtape Letters has been praised by figures ranging from former US President Ronald Reagan to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
About the Author
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the most imaginative authors and influential Christian scholars of the 20th century. He is best known for The Chronicles of Narnia, a beloved children's fantasy series with strong Christian themes. The seven Narnia books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been adapted into major films. Lewis also wrote nonfiction works dedicated to exploring spiritual questions and making theological concepts accessible, including Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Problem of Pain. His science fiction Space Trilogy and allegorical novel The Great Divorce further showcase his creative storytelling abilities.
Born in Belfast, Lewis became a renowned academic at Oxford and Cambridge, specializing in medieval literature. In addition to his prolific writing career, he was a member of the informal literary group known as the Inklings, which included his close friend J.R.R. Tolkien. Their discussions and mutual encouragement played a key role in the creation of Lewis's Narnia series and Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Lewis's own spiritual journey from atheism to Christianity in his early 30s deeply informed his later writings and apologetics work defending and explaining the Christian faith.
C.S. Lewis's legacy as both a creative storyteller and Christian thinker continues to grow. His works remain widely read and studied, with Lewis societies founded around the world to discuss his ideas. In 2013, he was honored with a memorial in Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey, cementing his place as one of Britain's most beloved writers.
