The Screwtape Letters

Style and Technique

The Screwtape Letters is an epistolary novel consisting of a series of fictional letters written by the senior demon Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood. The book employs satire and irony to explore moral questions and human nature from the perspective of Christian theology. Lewis uses a witty and critical approach to analyze human weaknesses and spiritual temptations, often focusing on everyday situations and minor vices that can lead to spiritual downfall. The structure of the narrative, organized as a series of letters, allows Lewis to address the reader directly, creating the illusion of a personal conversation and making his ideas more impactful.