A Verb Not A Vibe
Throughout C.S. Lewis’ illustrated parody of Hell, The Screwtape Letters, the picture of love is consistently painted over Lewis’ various canvases. Repeatedly targeted by the incomprehensive Screwtape and Wormwood, love endures both criticism and praise within the letters. By use of his satirical wit, Lewis presents love as an important and essential factor of relationships, implying that without love, man becomes an isolated island separated from a continent overflowing with people.
Although based on the principles of truth and trust, love is also a key factor in a strong, lasting marriage. Despite the short lived existences of marriages where “’being in love’ is the only respectable ground for marriage, [obligated to and capable of] render[ing] this excitement permanent, [and no longer binding when it] does not do so,” (93) there are several marriages who have persevered through the “undulation of life” because those in the relationship did not depend on the excitement “being in love” brought, acknowledging the fact that love is more than just mere feelings. God placed the brain above the heart, giving us the ability to check the impulses and emotions floating around. By mistaking impulses and infatuations for love, one often makes the worst mistakes of their lives, trusting that “’love’ [to] excuse [them] from all the guilt [and] … consequences of marrying a heathen, a fool, or a wanton.” (97) No matter how much one loves another person, there are just issues that they’ll never be able to work out, especially matters concerning religion. The Bible warns Christians against becoming “unequally yoked with unbelievers.” If a Christian becomes blinded by attraction and infatuation, they will possibly enter a marriage where they will either lose their faith, which is what Screwtape wants, or their marriage. Although marriage was instituted by God in the Garden of Eden, it does not filter out the interference of the Devil; he will always be on the prowl for an...
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