Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz Analysis

Most people, in this world, have a passion deep down inside of them that lead them to achieve what they put their heart and mind to. Fulfilling that passion is the most satisfying feeling. Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz is a well-known extraordinary figure from the colonial period. She is a great example of persevering to get through many obstacles in her life. Sor Juana developed a desire for education at a very young age and was highly noticeable in all of her literature. In the seventeenth century, it was the intellectual midpoint of Spanish colonial America. During this time Mexico City was politically and religiously the center of New Spain; the terrains went from California to Central America. In Latin American history, the church and state
Feminist readers see Sor Juana as an example to proudly advertise and develop her talent in a culture that limits women’s opportunities. In Sor Juana’s hypocritical society, her voice objects to the unfairness by defending herself and other women using a direct first person declaration. Her poem “Hombres Nescios” (foolish men) is a good example of the hypocrisy. In the beginning Sor Juana writes, “Misguided men, who will chastise a woman when no blame is due, oblivious that it is you who prompted what you criticize” (Penden 149). This illustrates the double standard and how men blame the women for the faults that they themselves caused. Also, Sor Juana addresses the issue of prostitution, “ Whose is the greater guilt therein when either’s conduct may dismay: she who sins and takes the pay, or he who pays her for the sin” (Penden 151). Sor Juana wants her readers to reconsider the existing beliefs about the guilt and shame in society. She is not overlooking prostitution; she is making it obvious that she wants men and women to be judged equivalently. However, till this day women will most likely never be equal to men. Sor Juana faced discrimination simply because she is a