Introduction
This November 12th, we commemorate the birth of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, one of the most emblematic figures of Mexico. Sor Juana was an outstanding figure during the Golden Age of Spanish literature and a symbol of the female intellectual struggle.
Her work and thought continue to inspire generations on defense of knowledge, intellectual freedom, and women’s rights.
Childhood and training
Juana Inés de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana was born on November 12, 1651, in San Miguel Nepantla, near Mexico City. From a very young age she showed exceptional intelligence and a deep curiosity for knowledge. Being self-taught, she learned to read and write at the age of three. Later, she studied Latin, Greek, Nahuatl and natural sciences, defying the educational restrictions imposed on women of the time.
Entrance to the convent
In 1669, at the age of sixteen, she entered the convent of San Jerónimo and took the name of Sor Juana. As she was recognized for her intellectual acuity, she decided the convent provided her with the necessary environment to continue developing her literary and scientific work. Here she wrote most of her works. .
Literary work and thought
Sor Juana wrote poetry, plays, essays, and letters. Her poems cover topics such as love, religion, philosophy and the defense of education for women. She was the author of dramatic works such as “Love is more labyrinth” and “The pawns of a house”.
Her most famous work, “Reply to Sister Philotea of the Cross,” is considered one of the first feminist manifestos in the history of literature. In this work, Sor Juana defends the right of women to knowledge, a confrontation to the ecclesiastical authorities of her time.
Her literary works include:
- Lyric poetry: sonnets, redondillas and romances stand out with wit and mastery of language.
- Theater: author of baroque comedies, in which she explores the role of women in colonial society.
- Essay: letters and responses, she addresses philosophical and scientific issues, defending reason and critical thinking.
Struggle
Sor Juana suffered censorship and harassment from the Church and society of her time, who considered it inappropriate for a woman to dedicate herself to study and writing.
Legacy of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
Sor Juana wrote a large number of plays, and her work has been translated into multiple languages. The legacy of Sor Juana lives on as a symbol of intellectual freedom and the defense of women’s rights. Sor Juana is known as the “Tenth Muse” of Mexico or “the Phoenix of America”. She is considered the greatest poet in the Spanish language of the American continent. Sor Juana is considered a defender of the right to read. She is admired and studied worldwide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we commemorate the birth of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz as her figure transcends time and space. Her life and work are testimony to the resistance to oppression and the transformative power of knowledge. Sor Juana is remembered as a precursor of feminism and a defender of education and freedom of thought.
Author: AllMexicoStore
References
Government of Mexico Conmemoramos el natalicio de Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. | Instituto Nacional para el Federalismo y el Desarrollo Municipal | Gobierno | gob.mx
Did you know?
In 1979, National Book Day was established by a Mexican presidential decree, in honor of the birth of Sor Juana, in order to promote reading and books as a fundamental tool for the development of an individual and society. Considered the Tenth Mexican Muse, Sor Juana was a figure dedicated to books and the fervor for knowledge,
