Sor Juana Day I

Sor Juana uses flattery to appeal to “the most illustrious lady”. She sings her praises and thanks her endlessly for having her work published. But perhaps the greatest compliment she gives her is to compare her to God Himself. She uses examples of characters in the Bible such as Moses speaking to God because God favored him which made him worthy. The fact that the lady favors Sor Juana validates her in writing this letter and approaching her. “O venerable Lady, whence comes such a favor to me? By chance, am I something more than a poor nun, the slightest creature on earth and the least worthy of drawing your attention?” She also uses this fact to indicate to the readers that she is a credible source as she is favored by the Lady. She is intensely modest while at the same time showing her talent as a writer and scholar.

I found her discourse on education very interesting. She claims, “I do not study in order to write, nor far less in order to teach (which would be boundless arrogance in me), but simply to see whether by studying I may become less ignorant.” In theory, this is the real reason to study anything, to enlighten oneself. As Sor Juana points out however, usually people study things so that they can enlighten others about what they study either through writing or teaching (or both). She humbles herself by saying she is not so “arrogant” to do either of these.