The Screwtape Letters Chapter Summary & Analysis - Letter 11 Summary

Letter 11 Summary

Things are going well with the secular, sophisticated friends. Screwtape is glad of it, but he is concerned Wormwood has mentioned they like to laugh. Laughter is not always in the devils' favor. The subject of humor is explored.

The innocent laughter of joy and fun among friends and family is no good to the devils. In fact, it is related to Heaven. Jokes provide more fertile ground for corruption. Innocent jokes which are funny because they point out incongruities are not helpful either. "Dirty" jokes most certainly are, but the best jokes are ones that excuse acts of cruelty or cowardice by making jokes of them. It is what a human does which counts, after all. Flippancy is best. To see something ridiculous in virtue, to take nothing seriously, to pass everything off as subject matter for jest—these are all excellent ways to insulate the human heart from...
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