A strengthening of my faith was not something I was expecting after reading The Screwtape Letters, a novel by C. S. Lewis and published in 1942. A Senior Devil writes 31 letters to a Junior Devil, acting as mentor. This in itself is a chilling and somewhat disturbing thought.
Sitting in the light, relaxed aura of Cambridge Place contrasted amusingly with the unrelenting dark content of the book that Dr Claire Gallien had selected. It was the first session and having attended events at CMC for three years my expectations were sky-high. The ensuing conversation did not disappoint, delivering an hour of incisive commentary that drew from a range of genres. Such a stimulating discussion generated strong imagery through contemplating the words ‘Devil Mentoring’.
Surprising in its readability, the text paints a series of scenarios for the victim, known as ‘the Patient’. Each setting displays a forensic understanding by the author of the fundamentals of human thought processes and their resulting behaviour. By implication our analysis so adeptly facilitated by Dr Claire centred around day-to-day experiences with which we could all identify. She was nuanced in her style, drawing opinions equally about specific elements of the book as well as holistic underlying themes.
I was especially motivated by the range of backgrounds of students that afternoon. Academics were mingling with teachers and business people alike. Such diversity by its very nature created an intellectual safari.