Throughout the novel, C.S. Lewis depicts the Heaven vs. Hell battle over a man by allowing the reader to see letters written from a demon, Screwtape, to his nephew, Wormwood, that relate to the reader the events that are taking place in this struggle. The author creates a format for his writing that emphasizes his beliefs and ideas concerning the situation. One method that Lewis uses to make the setting for this battle so striking is that, since the novel is written from the point of view of a demon, Satan is referred to as “Our Father Below” and God is affectionately

referred to as “the Enemy” (12). This comparison is one that contradicts the view of the society that we live in today, in which (in most cases) God is viewed as the “good guy,” and the Devil is referred to as the “bad guy”. Lewis intentionally based the novel on this idea so that every time one reads a passage in which one of these phrases are used, it provokes thought amongst the reader and continues to make the reader ponder upon the irony of the situation. He also refers to the leading demons in Hell as the “High Command,” which re-illustrates the idea of such a battle that is going on between Heaven and Hell, and reiterates what side Screwtape is obviously on (39). Another way Lewis creates a unique setting for his ideas to be expressed in is by writing the novel as a simple compilation of letters from Screwtape to his nephew. The fact that every chapter/letter begins with “MY DEAR WORMWOOD,” illustrates Lewis’ opinion that formality and complete ritualistic structure can be monotonous and ineffective (11). He ends every letter by saying: “Your affectionate uncle, SCREWTAPE” (14). This shows irony in that, many times throughout his letters, Screwtape is destructively critical of and often harsh with Wormwood, yet always ends them with such a polite and gentle courtesy. He also writes the novel in a point of view in which Screwtape is speaking directly to Wormwood and can show his disgust with his actions, like when he threatens that “You shall pay for that as well as for your other blunders” (111). This illustrates Lewis’ opinion of the demons, showing the irony that exists because he is so harsh and demeaning to Wormwood, even though he is family. Lastly, the author shows his emphasis on certain ideas and opinions by capitalizing certain words and phrases that are not usually capitalized in works of literature. An example of this would be when Screwtape always capitalizes whatever word he uses to describe his enemy, God. Even when he actually calls him “the Enemy,” he still capitalizes the word (11). This shows the fact that, even though Satan and his demons are eternally rivaled against and have an intense hatred for God, they have a huge respect and a strong fear for him. For the same reason, Screwtape capitalizes “Church,” when referring to the Christian Church of the day (15). One would think that, being a powerful and evil demon, he would not bother to give such a respect to the Church as to make it a proper noun. The fact that h

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