Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651-1695) was the last great author of the Hispanic American Baroque and the most important poet of colonial Latin American literature. Numerous studies analyse her as a Mexican icon and a precursor of feminism. This first lecture will focus on her autobiographical letter known as La Respuesta [The Answer] (1691). We will analyse the text as a rhetorical exercise, that is, as the self-defence of a nun for dedicating her life to literature. We will also relate it to the epistolary ballads that Sor Juana wrote to respond to the praise of her readers and admirers. Finally, special attention will be paid to the portraits of Sor Juana produced in the 18th century, which contributed to canonising her as a woman of exceptional vocation and destiny.

Conference commemorating International Women's Day.