The Screwtape Letters Summary
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Here you will find a The Screwtape Letters summary (C. S. Lewis's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters The Screwtape Letters Summary Overview
In an undisclosed manner, an array of correspondences come to light between an experienced demon named Screwtape and his naive nephew, Wormwood. The mentor, Screwtape, provides guidance to his novice nephew on how to lead a British man, known as "the Patient," astray and into the clutches of Hell. Wormwood, having received training at a college for demons, is assigned the task of tempting the Patient. However, Screwtape is unimpressed by the education his nephew received, blaming the college's inefficient director, Slubgob. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that the Patient, a caretaker to his demanding mother, has recently embraced Christianity, presenting a new challenge for Wormwood. Throughout the early exchanges, Screwtape advises Wormwood to manipulate the Patient's understanding of Christianity, urging him to view it as a personal, internal belief rather than a way to interact with the world. To succeed, Wormwood is instructed to create conflict between the Patient and his mother over trivial matters at home. As the invisible Wormwood shadows the Patient, he subtly encourages negative emotions and unhealthy diversions. Meanwhile, Screwtape, a proven soul-winner for Hell, operates within Hell's "Lowerarchy," a monstrous corporation responsible for devising the best tactics to ensnare souls on Earth. When World War II engulfs the globe, the Patient experiences fear over potential conscription. Wormwood is directed to manipulate the Patient's uncertainty and use it to his demonic advantage. The Patient then encounters a group of non-Christian friends, and Wormwood seeks to cultivate hypocrisy within him, making him view himself superior to both his humble church companions and his new intellectual friends. However, the Patient experiences a spiritual reawakening, strengthening his faith, making Wormwood's task even more difficult. Following the Patient's religious renewal, Screwtape advises Wormwood to tempt the Patient with sexual desires. Yet, the Patient falls in love with a Christian woman who influences him positively. During this period, Wormwood accuses Screwtape of heresy to Hell's authorities for contradicting Hell's teachings about God's love for humans, causing Screwtape to transform into a centipede in anger. Nevertheless, Screwtape manages to clear his name by explaining his statement was merely an analogy. As the war intensifies, the Patient's life is threatened, and Wormwood is advised to exploit his fear. However, the Patient's humility due to his self-perceived cowardice makes him a difficult target. Eventually, the Patient loses his life in a German air raid and his soul ascends to Heaven. As a result of his failure, Wormwood is forced to replace the Patient, with Screwtape relishing the idea of consuming his nephew, emphasizing the absence of mercy in Hell.
letter 1
C.S. Lewis initially acknowledges the deceitful nature of devils, hinting that the conversations between Screwtape and Wormwood might not be completely truthful. His reluctance to disclose how he found these correspondences is also notable. The inaugural letter features Screwtape advising Wormwood on leading his human target, termed "the Patient," towards sin and Hell. Wormwood is cautioned against using argumentation, a previously successful tactic. Instead, he should kindle the Patient's emotions to prevent logical thought. As an example, Screwtape shares his experience of diverting an atheist's logical thinking by encouraging him to have lunch. Wormwood is urged to constantly remind the Patient of the mundane aspects of life while steering him clear of scientific understanding. This would ensure the Patient focuses on aspects beyond his physical reach or sight.
letter 2
Screwtape chides Wormwood for not stopping the Patient from becoming a Christian. He informs that the Patient's church members could aid their cause. The Patient presumes a perfect spiritual Church, and not one with mundane folks like greasy grocers or off-key singers. Wormwood's duty is to ensure the Patient doesn't recognize that his spiritual ideas are cliched. Wormwood should aim to incite disappointment in the Patient. Screwtape asserts that disappointment tends to signify significant life changes as people often feel letdown when fantasies become realities. However, he alerts Wormwood that once people move past their initial disappointment, they become tougher to catch in their traps. If the Patient's fellow church members prove to be hypocrites, Wormwood's job becomes simpler. He should then devise a strategy to exploit the Patient.
letter 3
Screwtape instructs Wormwood to meddle in the man's relationship with his mother, who is portrayed as a challenging and fault-finding individual. He suggests Wormwood start by making the man believe his turn to Christianity is a profound internal shift, rather than a facet of his everyday existence. Secondly, Screwtape advises Wormwood to encourage the man to pray solely for his mother's wrongdoings, increasing his awareness of her flaws. This hypocritical approach has been so successful that Screwtape's previous subjects have prayed for their child's soul, only to physically punish them afterwards. Thirdly, he suggests Wormwood should emphasize the mother's irritating behavior, and fourthly, he should make the man perceive negativity in his mother's voice even when it's not present. The man should also expect his mother to consider only his words and not their tone, leading to frequent arguments where both parties believe they are correct.
letter 4
This section deals with the subject of prayer. Screwtape advises that preventing the Patient from praying is ideal. However, if the Patient insists on praying, Wormwood's task is to ensure his prayers are self-made and more of an overall sentiment than focused meditation. Wormwood is to guide the Patient to focus on personal feelings rather than on God, encouraging a desire for feeling good. Thus, the Patient seeks to experience forgiveness or bravery, rather than genuinely praying for these virtues. Screwtape states that humans are unaware of the full power of the Enemy, allowing them to be deceived into venerating mere images. They end up praying to the crucifix they hang, instead of the Enemy. Moreover, while individuals believe they crave the complete exposure to the Enemy's divine presence, they are genuinely fearful of experiencing it.
letter 5
Screwtape reprimands Wormwood for gloating about World War II's commencement, cautioning that it might not aid in securing the Patient’s soul. He admits war brings human suffering which is entertaining, but it could also direct them towards the Enemy, causing them to lose their faith. He adds that during a war, humans are conscious of death and if believers, they usually prepare their souls for it. He opines that it is more advantageous for demons if humans pass away in hospitals or nursing homes, where they are pampered and misled about their impending deaths. He states that suffering is a crucial part of what the Enemy terms redemption. The distress caused by war, he cautions, frequently leads humans to redemption and into the Enemy’s hands.
letter 6
As the Patient faces the possibility of conscription due to his age, Screwtape advises Wormwood to immerse him in a world of uncertainty. The Patient's fears should be directed towards tangible things, not seen as a trial from the Enemy. Screwtape's rule of thumb is to maintain the Patient's focus on external entities, preventing him from self-reflection. During prayer, the Patient's thoughts should be about himself rather than the Enemy. Screwtape concedes that the Patient's character will inevitably hold both good and bad elements. War can stir hatred towards unseen enemies, but Wormwood must steer the Patient’s loathing towards his immediate surroundings, channeling his good intentions towards distant places. In doing so, the Patient's virtues will also be displaced to the realm of illusion.
letter 7
Screwtape guides Wormwood about the current strategy of Hell’s High Command: it’s beneficial for devils to remain hidden and unseen. This wasn’t always the practice, but it assists in making humans doubters. Screwtape anticipates a time when people will revere the “forces” of science, disregarding invisible “spirits.” He finds modern portrayals of devils as comical helpful in maintaining skepticism, which aids Wormwood in leading the Patient astray. Screwtape then deliberates whether the Patient should be a patriot or a pacifist. He advises that any extreme, barring intense dedication to God, aids their mission. Given the Patient's fear of war, Screwtape suggests Wormwood push him towards pacifism. The Patient might see himself as a coward, which could potentially turn him into a hypocrite. If the path of patriotism is chosen, however, the goal remains the same: convince the Patient his beliefs are religious. The ultimate victory is when ephemeral pamphlets and causes eclipse prayers and genuine charity in the Patient's life.
letter 8
Screwtape chuckles at the downfall of the devil Training College under director Slubgob's rule. He labels Wormwood as an ignoramus who's forgotten the dual nature of humans—part animal, part spirit—and their existence in the realm of time. This, in turn, leads to their inconsistency and their lives alternating between highs (peaks) and lows (troughs). In a low phase now, Screwtape cautions Wormwood that the Enemy often uses these troughs more effectively for winning souls. Screwtape underscores the Enemy's gift of free will to humans, intending them to be independent yet connected to Him. This explains why the Enemy doesn’t make his presence more evident. A human, in the Enemy's design, is allowed to deny Him. Thus, trough periods compel humans to be self-reliant and accountable for their lives, making them more distinct and resolute—prime subjects for the Enemy.
letter 9
Screwtape proposes tactics to Wormwood for utilizing the lows or 'troughs' in the Patient's existence. During these troughs, when the Patient experiences less satisfaction, the environment is ripe for sensual temptations, particularly of a sexual nature. The Patient is less likely to discover love during these periods and his physical indulgences yield little real joy, instead fostering dependencies and an escalating appetite for dwindling pleasures. Screwtape further encourages Wormwood to manipulate the Patient into believing these troughs are permanent. Depending on the Patient's personality, the strategy may vary. If he is of a depressive nature, Wormwood should push him towards solitude and self-reliance in overcoming his trough. If he is more optimistic, Wormwood should try to persuade him that the trough isn't as terrible as it seems, and that the previous high point wasn't that great either. In both cases, the goal is to make the Patient accept his trough as a permanent state. Once the Patient is convinced of the permanence of his trough, it becomes easier to make him believe the positive, "religious phase" he previously experienced, was merely a transient stage.
letter 10
Screwtape is pleased that the Patient has formed a bond with new acquaintances, who come off as intellectually superior, trendy in their communist beliefs, and skeptical of all worldly matters. He recommends Wormwood to make the Patient mimic these friends to gain their approval, as people tend to evolve into what they pretend to be. The Patient might not grasp the fact that his new allies are a materialistic lure for a while, but he'll eventually understand. If the Patient is naive enough, Wormwood can ensure that he only becomes aware of his friends' shortcomings when he isn't around them. Wormwood should aim to split the Patient's allegiance - make him feel more enlightened than other church attendees because he associates with such worldly figures, and superior to his friends since they can't grasp his spiritual journey. This tactic will inflate the Patient's vanity and self-contentment. Concurrently, Wormwood should ensure that the Patient overspends his means and neglects his professional duties and his mother.
letter 11
The Patient's acquaintances have exposed him to their entire group, which Screwtape views positively, yet he cautions that the Patient's laughter could be risky. He identifies four sources of laughter: Joy, Fun, the Joke Proper, and Flippancy. Screwtape admits the cause of joy-induced laughter is uncertain, but asserts that Joy doesn't lure souls to Hell. Fun, stemming from the "play instinct," resembles Joy - it has little use but diverts people from the Enemy's intentions. Jokes, however, hold potential to convert souls. Screwtape asserts that humans, particularly Brits, can justify any sin by making it a joke. Even cowardice is tolerable if humorously flaunted. The highest form, Flippancy, is where people don't genuinely laugh but treat everything as a joke. They take nothing seriously, including virtue. This alienates them from the Enemy, and despite their belief, it doesn't make them smarter.
letter 12
Screwtape commends Wormwood's progression, urging him to keep the Patient ignorant of his gradual distancing from the Enemy. Screwtape finds a silver lining in the Patient's church attendance, as it fosters a false sense of Christianity, despite his actions suggesting otherwise. It's crucial that Wormwood prevents the Patient from identifying his vague discomfort of "not doing very well lately" as sin. The Patient should feel a vague guilt, enough to deter him from contemplating the Enemy or repenting. The guilt will drive the Patient away from prayer as it heightens his awareness of his sins. In due course, the Patient will seek distraction from anything and nothing, neither enjoying himself nor living virtuously, which serves Wormwood's objectives perfectly.
letter 13
Screwtape is upset to learn that the Patient has rediscovered his faith. Screwtape mentions an “asphyxiating cloud” surrounding the Patient, symbolising God’s grace shielding him from temptation during periods of spiritual enlightenment. He points out Wormwood's mistakes, such as allowing the Patient to read a book and visit an old mill. These pleasure-filled activities revived the Patient’s grasp of reality, showing him his misplaced values. Screwtape emphasizes that God’s goal is to make individuals more unique, more true to themselves. Conversely, their demonic aim is to divert people from their true nature. Screwtape distracts his own subjects from any strong interests that are not sinful, like cricket or stamp collection. To tackle the Patient’s revived faith, they should stop him from putting his feelings of repentance into practice. If the Patient doesn’t act on his emotions, he remains in a sinful condition.
letter 14
The Patient is developing humility. Screwtape advises Wormwood to remind the Patient of his newfound humbleness, aiming to stir up pride. If this fails, Wormwood should convince him that true humility means having a poor self-image rather than the beneficial forgetfulness of oneself that aids in serving the Enemy. Screwtape notes that the Enemy desires humans to celebrate their own successes as much as others', as this exhibits the Enemy's genuine love for mankind, fostering gratitude and kindness. The Enemy's preference is for a person to consider themselves a great poet or architect and then move on, instead of squandering energy proving to themselves they're inadequate. The Enemy ensures the Patient realizes that he is not self-made. Wormwood's role is to make him forget this.
letter 15
Screwtape contemplates whether to keep the Patient in a state of fear or foster a false sense of confidence about the war ending soon. The Enemy urges individuals to focus on eternity and the present, whereas all sins are future-oriented, according to Screwtape. The Enemy does wish for humans to consider the future, but only to influence their present actions correctly. Screwtape advises Wormwood to make the future the main concern for the Patient. The Patient can either be anxious or hopeful about the war, as long as he doesn't focus on his immediate, ordinary life. If the Patient is content and optimistic about a positive future, Wormwood can exploit his shock when things don't go as planned. Conversely, if the Patient prays for strength to face the future and focuses on his present duties, Wormwood's job becomes significantly more challenging.
letter 16
The Patient has been regularly visiting a single church since becoming a believer. Screwtape cautions that this could be problematic unless it's a result of apathy. He advises Wormwood to instigate indecision in the Patient, encouraging him to shop around for a church that suits his preferences. This tactic turns the Patient into a critic rather than a learner. The Enemy's goal is for people to discern falsehoods or unhelpful elements in mass without adopting a judgmental attitude. Screwtape has researched the two nearest churches to the Patient's residence. One has a priest who dilutes the faith to appease his flock. The other church houses a priest called F Spike, known for his erratic political views, which he alters weekly for the sheer shock value. He doesn't aim for his teachings to be palatable or simple. However, F Spike poses a threat as he is a true believer. Finally, Wormwood should steer the Patient towards joining some faction in either church. This strategy will distract him from the worship and reduce church-going to merely a social event.
letter 17
Screwtape advises Wormwood that gluttony, or obsessive eating, is an effective way to ensnare souls. But recently, Hell has shifted its tactic towards a subtler form of gluttony. Screwtape cites The Patient’s mother as an example. Despite the variety of food offered, she only wants weak tea and toast, unbeknownst to her, a gluttonous behavior. The demon, Glubbose, has successfully manipulated her particularity over her toast and tea. She now believes she's virtuous, not realizing that her choices are dictated by her sensitive stomach. Discussing the male Patient, Screwtape recommends turning him into a food snob, convinced that only he knows what good food is and where to find it. Eventually, his arrogance will become a second nature.
letter 18
Screwtape delves into the topic of human sexuality in this letter. He outlines two commendable choices for humans: total abstinence or absolute monogamy. Screwtape remarks that Hell has been successful in making celibacy increasingly less popular. He notes Hell's task as manipulating humans into believing that not all things are equal; that one apple isn't as good as another. He highlights a contradiction where the Enemy portrays man and wife as being "one flesh", while simultaneously being a trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This scenario creates a contradiction in love. Screwtape grumbles about the Enemy's strategy of intertwining affection with sexual desire in humans. He further clarifies that whenever a man and a woman engage in sexual acts (even without being married), it triggers a spiritual bond that lasts forever. Screwtape notes that humans lack an understanding of love, which gives Hell two benefits. Firstly, individuals believe that love is a prerequisite for marriage. Secondly, sexual infatuations are often erroneously considered as love by many.
letter 19
Screwtape is fearful that Wormwood might expose him to the infernal authorities. Screwtape disputes the notion of the Enemy genuinely loving humans, deeming love a paradox. The Enemy merely claims to love them. The rift between Our Father and the Enemy, as per Screwtape's account, arose from a contentious disagreement over what the Enemy called selfless love, leading to Our Father's departure from Heaven. Screwtape argues the relevance of love's benefit for humans is insignificant. Humans should ponder on love's virtues and vices. If the Patient is sensitive, Wormwood is advised to make him view sexual abstinence as purity. If the Patient is emotional and easily deceived, Wormwood should convince him that love is compelling and innately good. With Wormwood's guidance, this approach could potentially result in long-lasting, sorrowful adulterous affairs culminating in murder and suicide.
letter 20
The Patient now realizes that lust is fleeting, complicating Wormwood's task to use sexual temptation. Screwtape suggests using the Patient’s lust to solidify an appealing marriage. Infernal entities in the demon hierarchy aid in this by creating desirable societal standards, which often lead people astray in their pursuit of a suitable partner as they prioritize shallow traits. Given that this is the "age of Jazz," men are taught to appreciate boyish women, a transient beauty type that heightens women's fear of aging. Simultaneously, Hell is promoting nudity acceptance and its exaggerated portrayals. Screwtape explains that every man has two preferences: one for a virtuous marriage, another for disreputable encounters. Wormwood must steer the Patient towards the latter.
letter 21
Screwtape suggests that sexual temptation can be used to provoke irritability in the Patient by playing on his sense of entitlement over time. Wormwood should instill in the Patient the belief that his time, like all things, is his own. This will make him frustrated when unexpected occurrences disrupt his plans. He naively fails to recognize that this is a daily request from the Enemy. Wormwood must also foster a sense of ownership over everything, not just time. This is why people defy chastity, as they feel they have full control over their bodies. Hell imparts this sense of possession through pride and confusion. The idea of "my boots" and "my God" differ significantly, but people can be manipulated to view them with the same sense of ownership. Screwtape finds amusement in the fact that humans believe they can claim anything as their own, oblivious to the reality of who truly owns their bodies, souls, and time.
letter 22
Wormwood has accused Screwtape before the Secret Police due to some remarks in a letter. Although Screwtape dodges penalty, he warns Wormwood will suffer for this and other blunders. Meanwhile, the Patient has become smitten with a Christian lady, much to their dismay. She's gentle yet witty, pure yet passionate, much to Wormwood's detest. Screwtape labels the Enemy as a Hedonist, a seeker of pleasure. They believe that humans naturally enjoy everything, and devils must manipulate these pleasures into wrongness. The woman whom the Patient adores belongs to a Christian family, and their home is infected with selfless love, filled with music and quietness - a situation Screwtape seeks to convert into chaos. Then, in a surprising turn, the letter ends and restarts in a different handwriting as Screwtape morphs into a giant centipede. However, Screwtape reassures his secretary, Toadpipe, this is not a punishment, rather a display of an intrinsic Life Force.
letter 23
The Patient is beginning to acquaint himself with smart, virtuous Christians through the Woman and her kin. Wormwood, unable to remove spirituality from the Patient's life, must taint it, as a corrupted saint is more entertaining to torment in Hell. The Patient's new friends have political leanings, which Wormwood can use to blur the distinction between theology and politics. He should mislead the Patient with a skewed conception of the historical Jesus, diverting the Patient's focus from His real identity and deeds. Screwtape points out that the first Christians were swayed by a single historical event - the Resurrection, and a solitary theological concept - Redemption. Hell, in general, does not want Christianity to interfere with politics. If people were to establish a fair society, it would spell disaster. Instead, Hell desires men to employ Christianity for ulterior motives. Devils should coax men to leverage their faith for political gain.
letter 24
Screwtape has received information from Slumtrimpet, the Woman's devil. The Woman's shortcoming is her limited exposure to anything beyond Christianity and noble values, which could be mistaken for genuine faith. Wormwood is instructed to have the Patient mimic this thoughtless faith, transforming it into spiritual arrogance. The Woman's family comprises more refined and intelligent people than the Patient has ever known. Wormwood is to make the Patient feel he fits in with them, although he is significantly inferior. The Patient must feel entitled to such company rather than understanding that he has been accepted out of charity and ought to express gratitude. Screwtape then advises Wormwood to refrain from discussing the War and corresponding casualties. He emphasizes that the War has little to no relevance to his task with the Patient.
letter 25
Screwtape notes that the problem with the Patient’s current companions is their plain Christian nature. He argues it would be more beneficial if they were Christians with a particular focus, such as faith healing or veganism. He suggests that demons should manipulate the human inclination to turn faith into a trend. The idea is to twist a wholesome craving for change into an insatiable quest for complete novelty. This would not only reduce enjoyment but also heighten desire. The Enemy merges the new and the old through natural cycles—seasons, youth, age, death, and birth. He desires men to ponder on simple questions like: Is it moral? Is it feasible? On the contrary, Hell wishes men to fret over the novelty of a suggestion or whether it aligns with the current era. People can't foresee the future, but they squander time trying to guess it. This creates an opportunity for demons to influence their lives and steer human deeds towards Hell’s wishes.
letter 26
The Patient and the Woman have fallen for each other. Wormwood's job is to exploit this by making them believe their love overcomes all domestic issues. But the truth is, these issues are merely obscured by their initial passionate feelings. Wormwood has to fool the Patient and the Woman into believing their current goodwill towards each other, stemming from lust, is authentic unselfishness, once referred to as charity. Men perceive unselfishness as not bringing trouble to others, while women see it as shouldering burdens to aid others. This discrepancy in understanding leads both genders to view each other as selfish. Later, when the Patient and Woman start a family, Wormwood should instigate a "Generous Conflict." Upon suggesting something mundane, like having tea, Wormwood needs to ensure the Patient claims he doesn't desire tea but will have it for the others' sake. The others will stubbornly want to do what the Patient prefers. They'll quarrel over who can be more unselfish, leaving no one content.
letter 27
Screwtape is disappointed in Wormwood's performance. He chastises Wormwood for failing to use the Patient’s love as a diversion from God. He suggests that he should direct the Patient to seek spiritual assistance in prayers, rather than making everyday requests. Should this fail, he advises making the Patient feel his prayers are ineffectual. Despite God seeing time as a whole, Screwtape proposes that Wormwood can deceive humans into attributing answered prayers to cause and effect. He reassures Wormwood that though some human authors have discussed this concept, there is no need for concern. Hell has introduced the “Historical Point of View.” This leads scholars to question the source and consistency of old ideas rather than their validity, preventing humans from gaining wisdom from history.
letter 28
Screwtape explains that the ongoing conflict is only pertinent in relation to the Patient's mindset. He suggests that Wormwood should not focus on the air raids on the Patient's city, but instead, should concentrate on keeping him alive. Screwtape notes that Hell's propaganda has led many young tempters astray, convincing them that death is a negative fate. However, for a well-prepared soul like the Patient, death is actually a blessing as it leads them to the 'Enemy'. He stresses the importance of preserving the Patient's life until he reaches middle age when he is likely to grow more worldly and less vigilant. Screwtape posits that even if the Patient is doing well, Wormwood can take advantage of it to make him more attached to material existence rather than the 'Enemy'. He asserts that younger individuals, even those without religious affiliations, are generally idealistic and disconnected from worldly matters. Gradually guiding such souls away from eternal thoughts over time presents an easier strategy.
letter 29
Screwtape discusses the challenge of nurturing courage, cowardice, or hatred in a person. He states that Hell lacks the ability to foster bravery since it can't create virtues. Hatred is easier to instill, especially if Wormwood can make the man believe he despises Germans for harming women and children. This hatred is most potent mixed with fear. However, cowardice is risky because it might lead the man to seek forgiveness and strength from the divine Enemy, which is counterproductive. Screwtape proposes that promoting superstition might be the safest approach. A superstitious mindset could cause the man to act cowardly in vital situations, which is sinful. Feeling fear, on the other hand, isn't a sin. The key is to ensure the man's actions are cowardly, not just his feelings.
letter 30
The Patient is terror-stricken during an air raid and considers himself a coward, which concerns Screwtape as the Patient's lack of pride suggests he's acting dutifully without vanity. Screwtape rebukes Wormwood for seeking mercy based on good intentions, asserting that in Hell, you either capture a human soul or become food. Wormwood is advised to keep the Patient moderately weary but not completely worn out, as the latter may grant him tranquility or clarity. Additionally, Wormwood should give the Patient false hopes to magnify his disappointment when the expected relief does not arrive. Moreover, Wormwood should manipulate the Patient's perception of reality when he witnesses grotesque scenes of bloodshed and dismemberment. By doing so, the Patient might equate violence and bloodshed as "reality" and dismiss the joyous laughter of children and pleasant weather as "mere sentiment."
letter 31
Screwtape affectionately refers to Wormwood as “my poppet” and “my pigsnie”, claiming to love him as much as he is loved by Wormwood. Excitedly, Screwtape anticipates devouring Wormwood following his failure. He imagines the Patient's realization of Wormwood's true identity and loss of control over him. He notes the Patient's easy death with no prolonged suffering or false hopes, as he died swiftly in an air raid. The thought of the Patient relinquishing his doubts and gaining eternal life fills Screwtape with fury. He points out Hell's two chief flaws: ineffective tempters like Wormwood and an inadequate Intelligence Department. Despite his frustration about Hell's misinterpretation of the Enemy's true intentions, he firmly believes in Hell's ultimate victory due to its realism. In his final words, Screwtape refers to himself as Wormwood’s “increasingly and ravenously affectionate uncle”.
