Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz
The Struggle out of Silence
General Information: "Foolish Men"
Over the years, women had been significantly limited in almost every respect ranging from identity to the role of everyday life. However, the growth of one's purpose has been inspired by multiple women including Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Sor Juana's enduring importance of determination in achieving her goals of pursing the opportunity of learning and knowledge consumed many. Sor Juana stands as the national icon of Mexican Identity. She became the new prominence for making a difference in womanhood by being persistent and passionate. If it was not for her, then the world would not be the same today. Sor Juana was known for being a superb poet. She expressed a lot of her self-worth and knowledge through writing. It seemed to be her only way to escape. "Foolish men" was a powerful poem she had written in defense of women. She describes men as blaming women for flaws that they have originally caused. However, men thrived over women's resistance and blamed them for feminine frivolity. Sor Juana faced a constant struggle with her own self, but the struggles she faced has forever more become an inspiration to others in the voice of reading her poems.
Freedom is a Constant Struggle
I Am Who I Am. You CANNOT disguise me.
Sor Juana was not accepted to her true self. She was hidden behind her veil. The paintings of her demonstrated the person others wanted to see not the woman she truly was. In the poem "To Her Portrait" it states, "This that you see, the false presentment planned With finest art and all the colored shows." I believe women should be accepted for who they are not who they are made out to be. Sor Juana was a known to be a nun, but the true Sor Juana was a woman hurting within. Hurting to be recognized. Hurting for her self-identity. Even today, women still struggle with being accepted for who they are rather than what others make themselves out to be. For example, Malala Yousafzai disguised herself everyday in order to go out of the house or to taker her siblings to school, because the Taliban did not allow women to go out. Women are not perfect, but we are human!
Knowledge, Education, and Leadership: Key to Life
Sor Juana also struggled with being able to pursue happiness in learning. She had two pathways: 1) a nun or 2) a mother. She chose to become a nun, so she would be closer to her studies. However, men were never satisfied. In the "Foolish Men" poem it states, "Whether you're favored or disdained, nothing can leave you satisfied." It seems as though women can never satisfy a man even if she breaking her back to please him. Women have more than one job besides bearing a child. For example, La Pola was an intelligent patriot spy and recruiter.In the movie La Peor de Todas, Sor Juana showed her knowledge by answering questions, but still had gained no respect. The men took away her books, which took away her identity."So why are you men all so stunned at the thought you're all guilty alike?" Men may have control, but the leadership and power of women are beginning to take over!
Solitary Confinement
Sor Juana was trapped. Trapped like other women inside a cell away from life. There were no books, no writing, just thoughts. The thoughts she had were her only freedom. Now that everything was stripped away, she felt nothing. All she wanted to do was fight! Sor Juana's fight in "Foolish Men" was to write. Write about the way she felt and to let others know to fight against being controlled by men.
SACRIFICE
The most important struggle Sor Juana had to fight for was her own strength in sacrifice, Other women such as La Pola and Petra Herrera also had to self-sacrifice as a woman. They had to fight against their biggest challenge..MEN. Petra Herrera disguised herself as a man in combat and took on leaderships and responsibilities that distinguished her from other peers. However, she demonstrated the power of women in combat and proved that women are just as effective as men. La Pola was apprehended by the Spanish for signing introductory papers for the patriots. She was soon arrested and sent to the death penalty. With that being said, the three women have sacrificed theirs lives to allow us to better freedom today.It is sad that women had to dress as men to make a differnce, rather than dressing for themselves. If only men were not afraid of accepting women's power and acknowledge their intelligence, then more equality among the genders would have been accomplished. The women may have passed away, but their accomplishments will never be forgotten. Our tongues will never be silenced!