Lieutenant Nun: Various Experiences of Catalina de Erauso
Dylan Goodman
History
4/21/14
Lieutenant Nun Q&A
Part A: Question 3
After reading through the various experiences of Catalina de Erauso, it is very clear to me that she wanted to escape the strict and binding socio-political norms established in Spanish society. While I do not doubt the religious faith of Catalina de Erauso, I feel she placed a great social value on those working under the crown in the New World. She did not want to be bound by a religious convent like her sisters. Catalina left the convent in Spain in order to escape the civil and religious limitations placed upon women in Spanish society. The New World served as a way out, an escape from the life she once lived. In my opinion, I believe she put a very high social value on that of being a man fighting under the Spanish crown, but that’s not to say she didn’t still see religion and God as being a big part in her path to forgiveness, redemption, and rescue. While she did not want to live a life strictly bound by the ecclesiastical authority, that’s not to say she did not still have a belief in God and faith. This battle between reason and faith often caused her many troubles and contemplations. By dressing as a man, Catalina reasoned the opportunity to escape and discover was worth the risk; something she couldn’t receive had she chosen the life of a nun. Whether she put one over the other is hard to say, she relied both, in ways not comparable to the other.
Part B: Question 5 One of the major characteristics shown by Catalina de Erauso was her on-the-go style of personality that gave off a sense of impermanence. Catalina was never bound by one place or person in the New World. Not only does this reflect the same 15 year old girl we see bravely flee her convent in 1600, but also the discovery of the New World on a whole. The expeditions and discovery process of the New World was sporadic to say the least. People were finding new people, places, materials, and more
History
4/21/14
Lieutenant Nun Q&A
Part A: Question 3
After reading through the various experiences of Catalina de Erauso, it is very clear to me that she wanted to escape the strict and binding socio-political norms established in Spanish society. While I do not doubt the religious faith of Catalina de Erauso, I feel she placed a great social value on those working under the crown in the New World. She did not want to be bound by a religious convent like her sisters. Catalina left the convent in Spain in order to escape the civil and religious limitations placed upon women in Spanish society. The New World served as a way out, an escape from the life she once lived. In my opinion, I believe she put a very high social value on that of being a man fighting under the Spanish crown, but that’s not to say she didn’t still see religion and God as being a big part in her path to forgiveness, redemption, and rescue. While she did not want to live a life strictly bound by the ecclesiastical authority, that’s not to say she did not still have a belief in God and faith. This battle between reason and faith often caused her many troubles and contemplations. By dressing as a man, Catalina reasoned the opportunity to escape and discover was worth the risk; something she couldn’t receive had she chosen the life of a nun. Whether she put one over the other is hard to say, she relied both, in ways not comparable to the other.
Part B: Question 5 One of the major characteristics shown by Catalina de Erauso was her on-the-go style of personality that gave off a sense of impermanence. Catalina was never bound by one place or person in the New World. Not only does this reflect the same 15 year old girl we see bravely flee her convent in 1600, but also the discovery of the New World on a whole. The expeditions and discovery process of the New World was sporadic to say the least. People were finding new people, places, materials, and more