This article is part of a series developed in partnership with Project Pulso.
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz is a towering figure in the literary canon of the Spanish-speaking world. Born in the mid-17th century, in colonial-era Mexico, she was a woman far ahead of her time, breaking barriers in areas like education, women's rights, and even expressions of sexuality. Today, her legacy is an inspiration for women, educators, and the queer community around the globe.
A Self-taught Scholar
Born in 1648, Juana Ramírez de Asbaje, later known as Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz after becoming a nun, was a child prodigy who taught herself to read and write. She developed a deep love for learning, despite women's education being frowned upon in her era. Sor Juana's craving for knowledge was insatiable; she allegedly begged her mother to allow her to disguise herself as a boy to attend the university, which was closed to women.
Her self-acquired education led her to become one of the most educated women of her time, a scholar of wide-ranging topics, including theology, philosophy, music, and natural science. In her convent enclosure, she compiled a vast library, making it a sanctuary of learning that defied the restrictive norms of the time.
Advocate for Women's Rights
Sor Juana was unyielding in her fight for women's rights, especially the right to education. Her most famous work, "Respuesta a Sor Filotea" (Reply to Sister Philotea), is a passionate defense of women's right to knowledge and education. She argued that women had the same natural rights as men to knowledge and learning, an idea that was revolutionary at the time.
In her writings, Sor Juana exposed the hypocrisy of the patriarchal society that chastised women for wanting to educate themselves while simultaneously blaming them for not being knowledgeable. Through her intellectual achievements and passionate advocacy, she became a trailblazer for women's rights and a pioneer of early feminist thought.
Queer Expression in Her Poetry
Sor Juana's poetry is not only celebrated for its lyrical brilliance and intellectual depth but also for its exploration of feminine sexuality. Many of her poems present strong homoerotic subtexts, offering a fresh perspective on female sexuality that contrasted starkly with the dominant narratives of her era.
While the term 'lesbian' did not exist in the 17th century, her love poetry often includes female muses and objects of desire. Poems like "Rosa Divina Que En Gentil Cultura," with its sensuous imagery and feminine symbols, later led critics and scholars to interpret them as expressions of queer identity.Divine rose, that in a gentle upbringing,
with your fragrant subtlety, are
the purple-tinted teacher of splendor,
and a snowy lesson for beauty.
Gesture of human architecture,
an example of vain kindness,
in which Nature decided to join
a joyful cradle and a sorrowful grave.
How arrogant you're in your splendor,
as you disdain the risk of dying,
and then, withered and hunched,
you give gloomy signs of your expiration,
with it, a well versed death, and foolish life,
you deceive by living and teach by dying!
The lesbian interpretation of her poetry remains contentious due to the historical and cultural distance. However, there's no denying that her vivid explorations of female love and desire are highly unusual for her time and she challenged traditional 17th-century norms. Whether Sor Juana identified as a lesbian or not, her verses resonate with many people in the LGBTQ+ community and have made her an important figure in queer literature.
A Lasting Legacy
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz left behind a legacy that resonates with people worldwide. She broke barriers at a time when women were actively discouraged from seeking education and knowledge. Her brave advocacy for women's rights marked her as a precursor of feminist thought. Moreover, her provocative poetry challenged the dominant heteronormative narratives of the time, making her a significant figure in queer literary studies.
To this day, she’s a powerful symbol of resistance against the subjugation of women and the denial of their rights to education and the expression of their sexuality. Her life and work continue to inspire and empower women, educators, and members of the LGBTQ+ community around the world, affirming that knowledge, courage, and authenticity are boundless, regardless of time and place.
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Promotional image provided by On Point Studios. 
Promotional image provided by On Point Studios. 
