Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz Essay

Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz was a major figure in Hispanic literature and a remarkable colonial intellectual of the Baroque. Sor Juana’s literary works serve as a look into the dynamic world of seventeenth century Hispanic literature. Considered the last great author of Spain’s Golden Age, Sor Juana and her influence contributed to creating a Mexican identity in the New World. Her poetry and life present the difficulties women then faced trying to thrive in academic and artistic fields. As a famous and controversial figure in the seventeenth century, Sor Juana took advantage of her position in the convent to speak out for women everywhere and their right to learn. Some consider her the first feminist of the Americas and a foremother for female
In 1667, she entered a Carmelite convent. She chose to leave and not take her vows at this convent because of their strict rules. In 1669, she moved to the convent of Santa Paula of the Hieronymite order in Mexico City which had more lenient rules. She took her vows and remained cloistered at this convent until her death. Life in the convent gave Sor Juana the comfort of having her own apartment where she could study and write at her leisure. She acted as the archivist and accountant for the convent. Sor Juana also taught drama and music to the girls in the school at Santa Paula. During her time in the convent, Sor Juana amassed one of the largest private libraries in the New World. She also had an impressive and large collection of scientific and musical instruments. Although she was cloistered at the convent, she was still able to keep in contact with powerful members of the court and scholars. The Viceroy and Vicereine of New Spain’s patronage helped her to maintain her freedom. They often visited her and had her writings published in Spain. In the 1680s, she even became the unofficial court poet even while being cloistered. Her literary works contributed to the culture of the world outside of the