SOR JUANA INES DE LA CRUZ1648 - 1695

Reply to Sor Filotea de la

Cruz Rus Khamzayev

Jorge Toro

SOR JUANA INES DE LA CRUZ1 6 4 8 - 1 6 9 5

Born on November 12, 1648

Born into an upper-class family

As a teen served as lady-in-waiting at the Viceregal

court

Achieved a reputation as “Tenth Muse”

At the age of 3 years old she followed her sister to

an all girl school to learn how to read. (page 409)

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At the age of 6 she knew how to read and write as

well as household arts

She cut her hair and dressed as a boy in an attempt to

go to a University in Mexico City

Studied Latin grammar

She had strong passion towards reading and Theology

Wrote secular forms: lyric poetry and drama

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Besides the writing of poems and plays, her studies

included music, philosophy and natural science.

In 1669, at age 21, she entered Convent of the Order of St.

Jérôme, where she would remain until her death.

“I, Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz, the worst in the world.”

singed a statement with her blood after reaffirming her faith

in 1694

Died after nursing the sick in epidemic

R E P LY T O S O R F I L O T E A D E L A C R U Z

In 1690, a letter of hers which criticized a well-known

Jesuit sermon was published without her permission by a

person using the alias “Sor Filotea de la Cruz.” (Bishop of

Puebla, Manuel Fernandez de Santa Cruz)

criticizing Juana for her comments and for the lack of

serious religious content in her poems.

Reply, the first feminist manifesto, defending women's

right to education.

R E P LY T O S O R F I L O T E A D E L A C R U Z

Apologizes for not taking up the stereotypical role

of a woman at that time

Purpose for writing is to defend women’s rights to

be educated

R E P LY T O S O R F I L O T E A D E L A C R U ZPA RT I

Humble apology:

“This is not pretended modesty, lady, but simplest truth

issuing from the depths of my heart…” Page 405

“I other than an humble nun, the lowliest creature of the

world, the most unworthy to occupy your attention?” Page 405

“I wish no quarrel with the Holly Office…I will be ignorant of

less. This is my response, and these are my feelings” Page 408

R E P LY T O S O R F I L O T E A D E L A C R U ZPA RT I

Brief autobiography:

“I was so inflamed with the desire to know how to

read…”Page 409

“…no cause for a head to be adorned with hair and

naked of learning” Page 409

R E P LY T O S O R F I L O T E A D E L A C R U ZPA RT I I

Use of Rhetoric: End of page 410 – 411

Knowledge of different subjects plays a big role in history

Logic

Physics

Music

Geometry

Architecture

Law

R E P LY T O S O R F I L O T E A D E L A C R U ZPA RT I I I

Reference to Jesus Christ

Relates to his persecution for his wisdom and

vision

“He excels? Then He shall suffer, for that is the

reward for one who excels” Page 415

“I have been persecuted for my wisdom, but

merely for my love of wisdom and letters…” Page

417

R E P LY T O S O R F I L O T E A D E L A C R U ZPA RT I V

Refers to great women in history

Underlines their wisdom and achievements

“I see many and illustrious women;…and an infinite

number of others, with divers gifts and virtues” Page

420

R E P LY T O S O R F I L O T E A D E L A C R U ZPA RT V

Concludes the letter by being bold yet respectful

“…and if you find unsuitable the Vos of the address

I have employed, believing that for the reverence I

owe you, Your Reverence seemed little reverent,

modify it in whatever manner seems appropriate to

your due, for I have not dared exceed the limits of

your custom, nor transgress the boundary of your

modesty.” Page 430

TONE AND WRITING STYLE

Theological polemic

Smooth surface of her elegant prose, conceals both rage and determination to

assert her right.

Uses justification

Irony

Asserts her unimportance, she illustrates the rage of her knowledge and of her

rhetoric skill

Interchanges her tone from submissive to controversial, highlighting her great

knowledge to underline her argument

Contradicts herself how it is socially not accepted for women to be educated, yet

she gives reasons why they should be.

REFERENCES

Historical –biblical historical references

Biblical – Jesus Christ, Apostle, Father Saint

Jerome, Moses (Page 416, 417, 406)

WOMEN’S ROLE

Stereotypical household wife

Life devoted to Convent

Argues for women’s right to be educated

Argues that men are not better than women

The Enlightenment was about how people started to interpret the

complex and rich thoughts of philosophers

The Enlightenment sparked the idea that women should be more

educated, with Sor Juana leading the way and eventually followed by

Lady Montague

SOR JUANA INES DE LA CRUZ

The

End