Screwtape Analysis

Paige Teves
Honors British Literature
Mrs. Baniaga
3 September 2010

Human Nature And Manipulation

         In Screwtape’s second letter, he 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 advantageous to the devil. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly apparent that devil knows human nature very well. The Screwtape Letters show that not only does the devil know human nature, but how to manipulate it.

         Examples of how of the devil understands and manipulates human nature can be seen in struggle, relationships, and fatigue. Screwtape writes that humans are constantly encountering “a series of troughs and peaks”. The letter goes on to say, “If you had watched your patient carefully you would have seen this undulation in every department of his life—his interest in his work, his affection for his friends, his physical appetites, all go up and down(Lewis 37-38).” This shows that the devil is familiar with human patterns of life, including the struggles in a person’s life. Screwtape later says,” …the Trough periods of the human undulation provide excellent opportunity for all sensual temptations,…(Lewis 43)” The devil is aware of low points in a person’s life and takes advantage of them because he knows that a person is weaker and has less will power during these times.

         An example of how the devil understands and manipulates human nature can be seen in the relationship between the patient and his mother. The devil knows that people have “pin pricks” that can be beneficial to his cause. Screwtape writes, “When two humans have lived together for many years it usually happens that each has tones of voice and expressions of face which are almost unendurably irritating to the other (Lewis 13).” He also acknowledges that people have double standards. Screwtape advises Wormwood to utilize these human characteristics by exaggerating them, as well as keeping them concealed from each person. These two things point out how the devil can take a relationship and exploit it because of his knowledge of human nature.

         Screwtape even uses the patient’s fatigue to his advantage. In many cases, fatigue can naturally bring out the calmer side of a person. On the other hand, fatigue, if manipulated correctly, can produce wicked actions and attitude. Screwtape reveals that in order “to produce the best results from the patient's fatigue, therefore, you must feed him with false hopes (Lewis 166).” Once the “false hopes” are not fulfilled, it can cause a person to snap. This is an illustration how the devil can take something that seems insignificant, such as fatigue, and tempt us to sin.

         The Screwtape Letters makes it clear that the devil is a manipulator. He studies human nature and knows when one is weakest, what buttons to push, and can use something small to tempt a person to sin. He is extremely knowledgeable about human nature and exploits it every chance possible. A Christian should be more looking out for the devil’s attacks because they are aware of his desire for manipulation opportunities.

Works Cited

Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters. New York: HarperCollins, 2001. Print.