Introduction
You might not be aware, dear reader, that the following day marks Mexico’s National Book Day, commemorating the birth of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. For those seeking verified information, it’s clear that Juana was born on November 12 in San Miguel Nepantla, and the rest is a tangled mess. The baptismal certificate found in Chimalhuacán only lists her as “Inés daughter of the church,” and there’s no evidence supporting her full name, Juana Inés de Asbaje Ramírez de Santillana, with a Vasco father and Mexican mother.
Juana Inés de la Cruz: A Brief Biography
Religious from a young age, Juana first joined the Carmelite Order and later profesited in San Jerónimo Convent, dedicating herself to study, reading, and consequently writing. Her first work was titled “Inundación castálida de la única poetisa, musa décima, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz que en varios metros, idiomas, y estilos, fertiliza varios asuntos; con elegantes, sutiles, claros, ingeniosos, útiles versos para enseñanza, recreo, y admiración.”
Among her works are numerous galant verses, poems of occasion, sonnets, décimas, rimas, songs for various religious celebrations, and two theatrical plays titled “Amor es más laberinto” and “Los empeños de una casa.” She claims to have written most of her work on commission, with the philosophical poem “Primero sueño” being her only piece of personal writing, which she referred to as “un papelito.”
Philosophical Masterpiece: “Primero sueño”
“Primero sueño” is a philosophical allegory of several hundred lines, written in silva meter, discussing the thirst for knowledge, the flight of thought, and the consequences for those who aspire to the glories of wisdom.
The Controversy and Consequences
Despite her grand literary achievements, Juana’s work was used against her. The high authorities, tired of her books, library, fame, and letters, decided to punish her due to her superior intellect. The obispo de Puebla issued a written sentence:
Although I am not as strict a censor as to find fault with your verses, for which you have been so celebrated; since Santa Teresa, the Nazarene, and other saints have canonized this skill; I wish you would imitate them not only in verse but also in the choice of subjects. It is true that Saint Paul says women should not teach; but he does not forbid them from studying to know. The Apostle only wished to prevent vanity in our sex, so prone to it. God does not want letters that generate pride in women; but He does not condemn them when they remain obedient.
In response, Sor Juana wrote a letter defending herself and her love for books. She confessed that she preferred studying books over men, finding them the best companion for her human journey. However, her defense ultimately contributed to her condemnation.
The Aftermath
Sor Filotea, who was not a woman and used a false name, was punished for her own folly. Her books, library, and papers were confiscated, leaving Sor Juana with nothing but her thoughts. Though her physical writings were restricted, her intellectual legacy and timeless words endured.
