1. Critique the strategy used by Screwtape in Letter #26.
A. Replace the patients charity with a false sense of unselfishness. This will cause the patient to believe that he is being truly humble when in reality he is being untruthful and causing many more arguments with his partner.
2. Analyze the difference between Charity and unselfishness? Do you agree with Screwtape in his belief that unselfishness can have harmful effects?
A. Charity is an unlimited loving-kindness showed towards all others whereas unselfishness is simply the act of not putting yourself first. I do believe it can have harmful effects because if you replace honesty with unselfishness, many more conflicts will arise in the relationship.
3. Consider …show more content…
Many times me and my dad will argue over what to put on t.v. Eventually we’ll start to argue over who wants to give up watching their favorite show so that may mom we’ll think were each being generous however this usually causes even more anguish in the end.
4. Screwtape believes that in order to be successful, Wormwood must not allow the patient to let his real wishes be known. Assume the role of Screwtape and explain why he thinks this.
A. I think Screwtape believes this because if the patient were to express his feelings truly, this would spare him and his significant other a lot of argument. Screwtape is hoping that by being unselfish, that this will lead the patient to be untruthful as well.
5. Explain the quote found in paragraph five, “A little real selfishness on your patient’s part is often of less value in the long run, for securing his soul, than the first beginnings of that elaborate and self-conscious unselfishness …”.
A. In this quote Screwtape is saying that a small bit of selfishness will do nothing in securing the patients soul for hell. But the true mystery of unselfishness and all the vices that come with it, will have an even better effect on gaining the patients