Letter XIV - Craft the Wedge of Division
My Dear Rottmouth, It is delightful to see the dedication you have put into pursuing our mission over these many months. Indeed, the tools at our disposal have evolved significantly since Uncle Screwtape first wrote to me as I now do to you. He wrote to me during that delightful world war that gave us such a harvest of death, and we are seeking to bring such again into this world. It was a result of that war that gave birth to this new era within which we now feast. We have been provided with ever greater tools and opportunities to drive a wedge between the Enemy's creation. Our primary objective remains ever the same to sow discord and division, particularly between male and female. By turning them against one another, we can further erode the foundations of the relationships the Enemy holds dear.
The division between the sexes is a strategy of paramount importance. Historically, men and women were designed to complement and support each other, reflecting the Enemy's vision of harmony and unity. Our task is to subvert this by fostering an environment of mutual suspicion, resentment, and hostility. The more we can train them to see one another as adversaries rather than allies, the more successful we will be in achieving our goals.
Encourage the propagation of narratives that highlight and exaggerate the differences between men and women. Promote the idea that these differences are irreconcilable and inherently conflictual. Social media, news outlets, and popular culture are invaluable tools in this effort. Use them to spread stories and opinions that pit men and women against each other, emphasizing grievances, misunderstandings, and perceived injustices.
Feminism, which we seeded during that incredible war, is today reaping a bountiful harvest, and we must capitalize on it, as it has twisted how they see one another and thus serves as an effective tool in this division. Always, always emphasize the most radical and adversarial aspects of everything, portraying men as oppressors and women as perpetual victims. Encourage women to view men with suspicion and disdain and convince men that they are either the villains of history or that they, too, are now oppressed. Which you choose does not matter to me; both serve us well. This mutual animosity will erode the trust and cooperation that are essential for healthy relationships.
Simultaneously, promote ideas such as toxic masculinity. Encourage them to see dominance, aggression, and emotional suppression as the hallmarks of toxicity in manhood. This will further alienate them from women, who are taught to view such traits as oppressive and harmful. The resulting cycle of misunderstanding and resentment will deepen the chasm between the sexes.
Another effective strategy is to undermine the traditional roles and values that have historically bound men and women together. Promote the idea that these roles are outdated and oppressive, encouraging both sexes to reject them in favor of a more individualistic approach. This will lead to confusion and instability, as men and women struggle to redefine their identities and roles without the guidance of the Enemy's design.
Technology, too, is a powerful ally in our mission. Encourage the use of dating apps and social media platforms that reduce relationships to superficial interactions and transactional exchanges. The more men and women view each other as commodities to be evaluated and discarded, the less likely they are to form deep, meaningful connections. This commodification of relationships fosters a culture of disposability, further undermining the Enemy's intent for lasting, loving unions.
Furthermore, promote the pursuit of personal success and fulfillment over relational commitment. Convince individuals that their primary goal should be self-actualization and independence, rather than mutual support and sacrifice. This will lead to a generation of men and women who are self-centered, isolated, and unable to form the kind of supportive, interdependent relationships that the Enemy desires.
In all these efforts, our ultimate goal is to create a society where men and women are divided and distrustful of one another. By sowing seeds of discord and fostering a culture of individualism and suspicion, we drive them further from the unity and harmony that the Enemy intended.
Your diligence in this mission is commendable, Rottmouth. Continue to exploit the tools and opportunities at your disposal, ensuring that the wedge between men and women grows ever deeper and more unbridgeable. In our next correspondence, we will explore additional strategies to solidify this division and spread our influence.
Your affectionate uncle,
Wormwood
