Raising Her Voice With Caution

The Writing of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz in 17th-Century New Spain

Abstract

It is no news that the practice of reading and writing in the 17th century was not accessible to everyone, much less to women. In this socio-historical context, Sor Juana reads and writes, but in the particular space of the convent and the court, which implies adapting to imposed conditions. The author writes, but she must respond to the demands of the viceroys, as well as those of different ecclesiastical authorities.

In Respuesta a Sor Filotea, Sor Juana explains that she has always written by mandate, with the exception of Sueño. As readers we may wonder if this has indeed been the case. In this paper, based on three very different writings, we will analyze different aspects of the author's writing: on the one hand, starting with Respuesta, we will see what Sor Juana says she writes (and what is not said). Then, we will analyze what she does in her writing. To do so, we will take Epinicio al virrey conde de Galve and the famous redondilla 92, to clarify how, from an assigned space and place, Sor Juana, although cautiously, does not cease to raise her voice.