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Copywork
About This Passage
This sentence reveals the devils' real strategy in one surprising twist: they work not by adding bad thoughts but by removing good ones. The colon that pivots from what people imagine to what is actually true teaches a young writer how a single sentence can set up an expectation and then overturn it.
It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Tell someone what Screwtape's fourth letter says, in order. When you reach the part about praying to a made-up picture instead of the real Enemy, slow down: what does Screwtape want the man to do, and what do you think about it?
Discussion Questions
- Screwtape tells Wormwood to let the man, instead of asking the Enemy for courage, just try to 'feel brave' on his own. Why does Screwtape want the man to make his own feelings instead of really asking for help? Which detail in the letter helps you decide?
- Screwtape tells Wormwood that the man should judge his prayers by whether he 'feels' something. Why is a prayer not good just because it gives you a nice feeling? How do you know, from what Screwtape says in the letter?
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
Kindness and love shown to other people.
Item 2
The strength to face fear or danger.
Item 3
The way you feel at a certain time.
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Critical Thinking
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