Letter 20 - Letter on Love and Competition

Analysis of Love and Competition in Screwtape Letters

The Nature of Selves and Competition

  • All selves are inherently in competition with one another.

  • The idea of love, as presented by the enemy (God), is seen as a contradiction due to this competition.

  • The question arises about the enemy's love for humans and whether it is genuine or not.

  • Important warning given: the enemy truly loves humanity and desires their freedom and existence.

Care and Caution in Communication

  • Screwtape expresses concern that Wormwood has shown letters to others, suggesting the sensitivity of the content.

  • Assurance of respect for authority figures like Slobgob, despite previous uncomplimentary remarks.

  • Emphasis on maintaining secrecy and caution regarding their plans against humanity.

The Quality of Love

  • The notion that the enemy's love is impossible for it implies a one-sidedness:

    • The enemy is a singular being, whereas humans are distinct individuals.

    • Human good cannot be the same as the good of the enemy.

  • Screwtape insists that all talks about love must have ulterior motives behind them.

  • Engaging with the enemy's true motives for their creation remains unresolved, raising critical questions about the intentions of the enemy regarding humanity.

Historical Incident with the Enemy

  • Screwtape refers to a significant event involving their father and the enemy:

    • Discussion on the creation of man and an anticipated incident involving a cross.

    • The father sought clarity but was instead met with vague notions of disinterested love.

    • The enemy's consistent secrecy about his motives has been a source of conflict.

An Example of Secrecy

  • Screwtape describes an encounter where their father’s disgust at being denied full disclosure led to feelings of sadness and their father's distancing from the enemy, leading to rumors of being 'thrown out' of heaven.

The Importance of Understanding the Enemy's Love

  • Recognizing what the enemy means by love will be pivotal in shifting the balance of power in the ongoing conflict.

  • Challenges in understanding the enemy's genuine nature must be approached with hope.

The Complexity of Human Love

  • There is no definitive stance on whether being in love is a favorable or unfavorable state:

    • The interpretation of love can lead to various outcomes.

    • Love can be constructive or destructive, and it's critical to manipulate the perceptions of it.

Manipulating Perspectives on Love

  • Strategies for influencing human beliefs regarding love:

    1. For the arrogant individual:

    • Encourage disdain for love rooted in asceticism, presenting it as purely physical.

    • Separate their sexuality from noble intentions to induce cynicism later.

    1. For emotional individuals:

    • Feed them literature that romanticizes love to make it seem irresistible.

    • This perception can lead to tragic outcomes like suicides or murders, or steer them towards a challenging marriage.

The Nature of Marriage and Relationships

  • Marriage is recognized as an invention of the enemy that can be used to hinder spiritual life.

  • Identifying potential partners in the patient's life who would complicate their faith is suggested as a tactic.

Conclusion on Love and Human Experience

  • Falling in love is seen as neutral, neither beneficial nor detrimental:

    • It represents raw material for both sides to exploit with their respective agendas.

    • Other human experiences, such as health, sickness, age, youth, war, and peace, are similarly viewed in this light.

  • Screwtape ends with a reminder addressing Wormwood to keep a clear perspective that's rooted in the goal of undermining human spirit and connection to the enemy.