The Green caldron - University Library

May, 1962 13
There are three principal characters—the man, Screwtape, and Wormwood.
The man represents a general class rather than an individual. His
plight is similar to that of thousands of others like him. Screwtape is a crafty
devil, well practiced in the art of tempting. He is proud of his achievements
and of the position that he holds in the underworld. Wormwood is a young
novice tempter, sure of himself and eager for spectacular accomplishments
and for recognition.
Lewis wrote this book with the intention of helping people understand
the relation between religion and everyday life, and he has produced some-
thing of value. The Screzvtape Letters was not intended simply to be read
for pleasure, although it is enjoyable to read. It is skillfully written and will
provide much material for thought for the careful reader.
They Aren't All Our Fault
Jane Combs
Rhetoric 101, Theme 10
XK k MERICA'S FOREIGN POLICY IS IRRESPONSIBLE. HER
/-\ Secretary of State, President, and ambassadors are tactless and un-
trained in diplomacy. There is disagreement among American rep-
resentatives abroad. Americans make no effort to know the people in other
countries." So say the critics, Europeans and hyper-sensitive Americans.
I agree—to a slight extent. But I don't believe our foreign policy is as careless
and irresponsible as we are frequently told. In the first place, our judges,
the Europeans—Germans, Italians, Frenchmen—have no more experience
than we in handling a small new world with big new crises. I concede they
do have experience in handling affairs concerning limited geographic and
political regions : Germany vs. France, France vs. England, Balkans vs. Rus-
sia. And they do have experience handling limited physical forces not capable
of complete devastation. That does not give them the authority to appraise
accurately and criticize a government whose affairs encompass, involve, and
affect the affairs of every other nation on earth. They are very much involved,
granted, but the cold war is acknowledged to be a contention between the
two biggest powers, Russia and the United States. The Europeans are
not qualified to judge us merely because of their alleged experience in
diplomacy. What is diplomacy? Is it that which involved Europe in a Triple
Entente and a Triple Alliance? Do we not have a new form of diplomacy,
one not dependent on the whims and lusts of a prime minister or figurehead