Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz lived from 1648-1695, and wrote extensively for the rights of woman, yet she was a nun sworn to be chaste and modest. Her works are extremely accurate in regards to how a woman feels towards a man and his treatment of her and, especially, her body. Her words are still valid today and would certainly invoke some feelings of contempt from many men, including clergymen, upon reading her works. She succumbed to the men around her that were powerful in the church in 1694 and turned away from authoring anymore literary works, sold her artistic and scientific possessions and remained cloistered for the rest of her life. Based on her writings, readers are apt to question then, why would she even remain a nun and continue to work in the institution that condemned her?
Cruz' was born into a society that valued position and wealth, although her parents were upper-class, she was born out of wedlock, which would have limited her prospects for a husband (CRUZ 246). She enjoyed reading and was surrounded by culture and intellect, eventually she served as a lady-in-waiting at the viceregal court (CRUZ 246). It was there that she "had her knowledge tested by some 40 noted scholars" (BRITANNICA.COM), after which, she became a nun. She wrote that she did not have a desire to get married and wished to continue to study (BRITANNICA.COM). Her writings conjure those same sentiments, for she writes of disdain for men and marriage," complaining, if they treat you badly; mocking, if they treat you well." (CRUZ 263). So, even if it were within her ability to marry and marry well enough to maintain a certain status that enabled her to study and experiment, clearly she was not interested.
Her mother gave birth to her out of wedlock, her father was a Spanish Captain that may not have been at home a lot, one can imagine that without a father/husband around to dissuade their neighbors from ridiculing them, Cruz and her mother most likely become hardened and empowered to fight back, no matter their origins. It can be seen in modern day society that single mothers often times encourage a self-motivated, self sufficient attitude in their daughters. In the time that Cruz was living, a woman on her own had limited options, probably couldn't have owned property without a husband, and work would have been hard and beneath her intellect. She took a place as a nun within the church to escape that red tape. She remained a nun throughout all the criticism of those in power around her so that she could continue what she and her mother started long ago, she showed that no matter what public opinion was, she was her own woman and would say and do and write what she wanted in whatever way would be possible, and if she could be stopped, then they would have nothing at all of her. She died caring for her fellow nuns that had become sick from an epidemic, she was only 47. Cruz chose the best option that was available to her, she refused to be silenced regardless of opinion, and she actions are admirable even today.
Cruz' was born into a society that valued position and wealth, although her parents were upper-class, she was born out of wedlock, which would have limited her prospects for a husband (CRUZ 246). She enjoyed reading and was surrounded by culture and intellect, eventually she served as a lady-in-waiting at the viceregal court (CRUZ 246). It was there that she "had her knowledge tested by some 40 noted scholars" (BRITANNICA.COM), after which, she became a nun. She wrote that she did not have a desire to get married and wished to continue to study (BRITANNICA.COM). Her writings conjure those same sentiments, for she writes of disdain for men and marriage," complaining, if they treat you badly; mocking, if they treat you well." (CRUZ 263). So, even if it were within her ability to marry and marry well enough to maintain a certain status that enabled her to study and experiment, clearly she was not interested.
Her mother gave birth to her out of wedlock, her father was a Spanish Captain that may not have been at home a lot, one can imagine that without a father/husband around to dissuade their neighbors from ridiculing them, Cruz and her mother most likely become hardened and empowered to fight back, no matter their origins. It can be seen in modern day society that single mothers often times encourage a self-motivated, self sufficient attitude in their daughters. In the time that Cruz was living, a woman on her own had limited options, probably couldn't have owned property without a husband, and work would have been hard and beneath her intellect. She took a place as a nun within the church to escape that red tape. She remained a nun throughout all the criticism of those in power around her so that she could continue what she and her mother started long ago, she showed that no matter what public opinion was, she was her own woman and would say and do and write what she wanted in whatever way would be possible, and if she could be stopped, then they would have nothing at all of her. She died caring for her fellow nuns that had become sick from an epidemic, she was only 47. Cruz chose the best option that was available to her, she refused to be silenced regardless of opinion, and she actions are admirable even today.
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