Jack Cornetti

Miss Skirtich
April 13, 2018
English 12: British Literature

The Patients Life

In C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters demons manipulate a man without him ever

knowing. The book is told through the demons plans to corrupt the man, so little is known about

him. This causes the reader to feel as if they are the character unwittingly being corrupted.

C.S Lewis intentionally withholds information about the patient in the book. This is so that

the readers can put themselves in the place of the patient and reflect on times where they may not

have known they’ve been influenced by demons. Even how you act around your family can be

manipulated into sin. 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, 6). This quote says that the patient and his mom has developed

tendency’s that make the other upset. This drives their relationship apart which is what the devil

wants.

This story also can reflect modern day. The devil tempts us to sin everyday in our lives just

as the patient was challenged in the novel. Gluttony is one such sin we see often. Screwtape says,

“Mere excess in food is much less valuable than delicacy. Its chief use is as a kind of artillery

preparation for attacks on chastity” (Lewis, 34). The sin of gluttony can both occur when we over

eat or are to picky about our food. We are also tempted by others to sin. This is called peer pressure

and it most often results in the harm of one’s self. We also see the devils influence during war. .

Screwtape says, “The immediate fear and suffering of the humans is a legitimate and pleasing

refreshment for our myriads of toiling workers” (Lewis, 9). The demons enjoy the misery and fear
that a war brings to people. In conclusion, the book has lessons and situations still relevant to

modern day.