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Period: 1521 to
Colonialism in Mexico
Mexico became a Spanish Colony ruled by the Spanish monarchy, after the fall of Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Mexica Empire. Mexico gained its independence after the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba, the Spanish ruling lasted 300 years. -
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Legacy
Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz is the first published feminist of the New World. Through her work and studies, she challenged the norms, during this time women weren't offered much education she was able to learn on her own and become known for her writings and teachings. Now she is commemorated in the 200-peso bill.
https://www.britannica.com/art/theatre-art -
Date of Birth
Juana Ines de Asbaje y Ramirez de Santillana was born according to a baptismal certificate in 1648, other sources say 1651. She was born in San Miguel Nepantla, Tepetlixpa of New Spain (now in Mexico called Nepantla de Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz to honor her). Her parents are Pedro Manuel de Asbaje and Isabel Ramírez. -
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Early years
Juana grew up living with her mother in her maternal grandfather's estate, Amecameca; until the age of 8. She would spend her time hiding in the hacienda chapel to read her grandfather's books. By this age, she had composed her first poem.
https://poets.org/poet/sor-juana-ines-de-la-cruz -
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Typhus Epidemic
Typhus first struck Mexico in 1655. This disease is transmitted by body lice, worsening with unsanitary conditions. During this time the disease was accompanied by war, famine, and poverty. This disease is well known for its high mortality rate.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24564928/ -
Moving to Mexico City
After her grandfather's death, she was sent to live with her aunt in Mexico City. Her studies continued. She studied Greek logic and taught Latin to young children, at age 13! She also learned Nahuatl, the Aztec language, and even wrote poems in this language. -
Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz is born
Due to her “total disinclination to marriage" and her wish to have an occupation that does not take away from her freedom to study she became a nun. She briefly stayed in the order of Discalced Carmelites.
https://www.britannica.com/art/theatre-art -
Moves Convent
Sor Juana moves to Santa Paula of the Hieronymite order in Mexico City. In this more lenient convent, she was offered her own apartment, time to study and write, and the opportunity to teach music and drama to the girls in Santa Paula’s school. She also was the convent’s archivist and accountant and accumulated one of the largest private libraries in her cell. She remained cloistered in this convent for the rest of her life. -
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The Viceroy and Vicereine
The patronage of the viceroy and vicereine of New Spain helped her maintain her exceptional freedom. They visited her, favored her, and had her works published in Spain. Even though she was secluded she became the unofficial court poet in the 1680s. -
Play: Los Empeños de una Casa
"The Pawns of a House" is one of her plays. It was first performed on October 4, 1683, during the birthday celebrations held for the firstborn child of the Viceroy Count of Paredes. The play follows the love story of two couples. Historians have labeled it as one of the most significant works of the Spanish Baroque literary movement.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sor-juana-ines-de-la-cruz-life-and-works -
Feminist Literature: Hombres Necios
Her most famous poem was "Hombres necios" ("Foolish Men.") In this poem she highlights the theme of gender inequality and the hypocrisy of men who criticize women while simultaneously relying on them for their own pleasure and comfort. During her time the writing was seen as radical. Nothing like this had ever been seen before. She faced backlash for not focusing on her religious studies. Therefore becoming the first to publish feminist writing. -
Play: Inundación castálida
Her first play was Inundacion castalida (The Castalida Flood). The play traces to a Greek myth of Pirene's Fountain, the story is that water nymph Pirene was struck with immense grief over the death of her son, Cenchrias, she turned to a fountain of tears with her essence which muses traveled to drink her water to get inspiration. -
Short Play: El Divino Narciso
Translated it is The Divine Narcissus, it is a play that blends the Aztec and Christian religions. Her various carols contain an amusing mix of Nahuatl, a Mexican Indian language, and Hispano-African and Spanish dialects. In the writing she portrays feminine resistance to male domination. The majority of it centers on freedom of choice for the native inhabitants in opposition to the Spanish conquistadors. -
More Work Published
Some of the work included the play Amor es màs Laberinto (Love the Greater Labyrinth) which was published in Madrid, the first edition of "Inundación Castálida" (Castalian Flood), and the celestial play "The Divine Narcissus." -
Carta Atenagórica
Without Sor Juana's permission, Manuel Fernandez de Santa Cruz published her critique of Portuguese Jesuit preacher António Vieira. Fernández de Santa Cruz entitled the critique Carta atenagórica (“Letter Worthy of Athena”). Also reproaching she should focus on her religious studies. -
Respuesta a sor Filotea de la Cruz
Sor Juana responded to the bishop through "Reply to Sister Filotea of the Cross." In her autobiographical section of the letter, she justifies her study of “human arts and sciences” as necessary to understand sacred theology. She bends words in the bible in order to justify that women are entitled to private instruction. She lists women of her time who also studied and became valuable scholars. -
Poem: Primer Sueño
The poem "First Dream" is one of Sor Juanas most famous poems. The verses explore the human desire to learn, which reflects her overall desire to study. One of her central objectives in life. -
Church Retaliation
After her reply, the church followed a secret episcopal trial on Sor Juana, for which she was found guilty. This trial was started by Archbishop Francisco de Aguiar y Viejas, whose goal was to silence Sor Juana since she spoke out and challenged the church's beliefs that limited women's value, in their religious society. -
She Stops Writing
With what is unknown if she gave in to her external or internal pressures to stop writing, she finally did. She redid her vows and signed many penitential documents. She sold her library collection including books, musical, and scientific instruments for alms (money or food given to poor people). -
The Death of Sor Juana
Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz died while aiding her sister nuns during the typhus epidemic in Mexico City, Mexico.