Screwtape Analysis

C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters follows the spiritual battle for a man’s soul. In the second letter, Screwtape writes, “All the habits of the patient, both mental and bodily, are still in our favour (Lewis 5).” From the beginning of the story, human nature is recognized as being more favorable to the devil. He uses his knowledge on the subject to tempt the Christian and to try to get him to stray from the right path. Throughout the story, it becomes increasingly apparent that devil knows human nature very well. The Screwtape Letters reveal interesting truths regarding human nature through temptation, struggle, and relationships.

                Screwtape is able to assists Wormwood in tempting because of his understanding of human nature. He knows when it is a good time to temp the patient. He writes,”In the first place I have always found that the Trough periods of the human undulation provide excellent opportunity for all sensual temptations, particularly those of sex (Lewis 43).” This shows that the devil is aware of when a person will be weaker and less likely to resist temptation. Temptation that is constantly given into quickly becoming an unimportant matter is also a truth that is brought up.  An excerpt from a letter reads, “A few weeks ago you had to tempt him to unreality and inattention in his prayers: but now you will find him opening his arms to you and almost begging you to distract his purpose and benumb his heart (Lewis 59).” Humans naturally are more susceptible to giving into temptation during “trough periods” and have a tendency to become less sensitive towards and even willing to sin over time.

                Struggles are also used to demonstrate human nature. Struggles are expressed through the “Law of Undulation” and tough situations. Screwtape says, “If you had watched your patient carefully you would have seen this undulation in every department of his life (Lewis 37)…”  Basically, in nearly every circumstance, it can be expected that a person will encounter a trough periods. During these low points the devil tries to take advantage of such times. In tough, wearying situations Screwtape advices Wormwood to “feed him with false hopes…Exaggerate the weariness by making him think it will soon be over(Lewis 166)…” Struggles of this nature provide easy attacks on a person’s “patience, chastity, and fortitude.” Humans Nature is that a person is very likely going to encounter trough periods because of the inevitability of the law of undulation and become discouraged during wearying situations. The devil knows how to use one’s struggles to discourage and tempt.

                Human nature is also revealed through relationships. First, the relationship with those who are close to a person as opposed to not, is mentioned. “The great thing is to direct the malice to his immediate neighbours whom he meets every day and to thrust his benevolence out to the remote circumference, to people he does not know (Lewis 28).” It is human nature for one to be unkind to those that are close and claim to love people that they do not know.  Relationships with peers are also discussed. People sometimes are a different person with a different group. Another thing that can happen is that a person can be come to proud of their friends because of their “superiority” compared other people. These two things are also a part of human nature and are in relation to the patients Christian and non-Christian friends. Last, the relationship between a person and the opposite sex is addressed. Screwtape wants the patient to fall in love with a woman who appeals to him, but is not a Christian. It is human nature to want to be with somebody that physically appeals to another person and sometimes not take into consideration of what they believe. 

In conclusion, The Screwtape Letters present astounding truths about human nature. It is scary knowing how much the devil knows about humans. Knowing these truths about human nature should make a Christian more vigilant concerning the devil's attacks.


Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letter. New York: Harper Collins, 2001. Print.