Theological Themes
• The two new friends introduced in the previous letter have now brought the patient to their greater circle of unbelieving friends.
• One of the most poignant remarks that Screwtape makes in this letter, is that these new acquaintances are the ones that are progressing quietly and comfortably towards “our Father’s house.”
• Lewis reminds us here, that spectacular sins are not required in order to miss out on heaven. These new friends seem to provide a better opportunity for temptation and corrupting influence due to the fact that they are “thoroughly reliable people; steady, consistent scoffers and worldlings.”
• C.S. Lewis spends a considerable amount of time at a seemingly random subject: the causes of human laughter he divides into Joy, Fun, Humor and Flippancy. The first two are not much use to the cause of Screwtape, but Humor can be used to destroy shame while Flippancy provides an opportunity to build up “the finest armor plating against the enemy.”
