History's "worst" nun - Theresa A. Yugar

Summary

Juana Ramírez de Asbaje, known as Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, was a 17th-century Mexican nun and polymath who defied societal norms to pursue knowledge. Born out of wedlock, she excelled in education and intellectual debates, becoming a celebrated figure in the royal court. Despite facing censorship and losing her prestige, Sor Juana remained a staunch advocate for women's intellect, leaving a lasting impact as the first recognized feminist in the Americas.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Juana Ramírez de Asbaje, known as Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, was a 17th-century intellectual prodigy who astounded theologians, jurists, and mathematicians with her knowledge.
• 🏛 She was born out of wedlock in a stratified class system in Mexico, which was a Spanish colony with a complex social hierarchy.
• 👧 Raised by her mother, Doña Isabel, Juana was inspired by her strong example and access to her grandfather's library, leading to her early mastery of various subjects.
• 🚫 Despite her intelligence, higher education was not accessible to women, so Juana sought knowledge through alternative means, such as attending school in disguise.
• 🎭 Juana's literary and philosophical works drew attention and controversy, particularly her poem 'Foolish Men,' which criticized sexist double standards.
• 💍 She received numerous marriage proposals but prioritized knowledge over matrimony, choosing to pursue intellectual independence.
• 🏰 At the age of 20, Juana entered the Hieronymite Convent of Santa Paula, where she continued to write and contribute to various fields of knowledge.
• 📚 Sor Juana amassed a significant library and engaged with prominent scholars, while also serving as a treasurer and archivist within the convent.
• 🤬 Her outspokenness led to conflict with the Church, culminating in a bishop's public admonishment and the Archbishop of Mexico's intervention.
• 📖 After being forced to sell her books and cease writing, Sor Juana defiantly renewed her vows, signing them with the phrase 'I, the worst of all,' in her own blood.
• 🏆 Posthumously, Sor Juana is celebrated as the first feminist in the Americas and is featured on Mexico's 200-peso banknote, with her work influencing history itself.

Q & A

Who was Juana Ramírez de Asbaje and what was her significance in history?

Juana Ramírez de Asbaje, also known as Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, was a 17th-century Mexican nun, writer, and intellectual. She is recognized as the first feminist in the Americas and is celebrated for her extensive knowledge in various fields including theology, philosophy, and mathematics.

What was the social context of Mexico during Juana's time?

During Juana's time, Mexico was a Spanish colony with a complex and stratified class system. Her maternal grandparents were born in Spain, which placed them in a high social class, but Juana was born out of wedlock, which affected her social standing.

How did Juana's upbringing influence her pursuit of knowledge?

Juana's upbringing, particularly her mother's example of managing an estate despite illiteracy and societal misogyny, inspired her confidence. Denied formal education due to her gender, she educated herself in her grandfather's library, mastering philosophical debate, Latin, and Nahuatl.

Why did Juana choose to enter the Church?

Juana chose to enter the Church to retain her independence and respectability while remaining unmarried. The Church, despite the influence of the Spanish Inquisition, provided a space where she could continue her intellectual pursuits.

What was the significance of Sor Juana's poem 'Foolish Men'?

Sor Juana's poem 'Foolish Men' was provocative and criticized sexist double standards, highlighting the hypocrisy of men who corrupt women and then blame them for immorality. It sparked controversy but also admiration.

How did Sor Juana's intellectual pursuits within the Church affect her status?

Initially, Sor Juana was considered a prized treasure of the Church for her contributions to literature, philosophy, and mathematics. However, her outspokenness and critique of a respected sermon eventually led to conflict with the Church authorities.

What was the consequence of Sor Juana's conflict with the Church authorities?

As a result of her conflict, Sor Juana was stripped of her prestige, forced to sell her books, and give up writing. She was admonished to devote herself to prayer rather than intellectual debate.

How did Sor Juana respond to the censorship imposed on her by the Church?

Sor Juana responded with defiance, renewing her vows in the Church but signing them with the phrase 'I, the worst of all,' in her own blood, symbolizing her protest against the censorship.

What was Sor Juana's final act before her death?

Before her death, Sor Juana threw herself into charity work, nursing her sisters during an illness outbreak. She contracted the illness herself and died in 1695.

How is Sor Juana remembered and celebrated today?

Today, Sor Juana is recognized for her contributions to literature and as a pioneer of feminism in the Americas. She is the subject of numerous documentaries, novels, operas, and appears on Mexico's 200-peso banknote.

What did Nobel laureate Octavio Paz say about the relationship between Sor Juana and history?

Octavio Paz stated that it is not enough to view Sor Juana's work as a product of history; history itself is also a product of her work, acknowledging her significant impact on the cultural and intellectual landscape.