Self-Pity as a Dominant Emotion in Sor Juanas Reply to Sor Filotea de la Cruz Free Essay Example, 1250 words

But as silence is a negative thing, though it explains a great deal through the very stress of not explaining, we must assign some meaning to it that we may understand what the silence†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (De la Cruz 8). In the reply, Sor Juana tells the reader about the ways in which the society was determined to ensure that women remained helpless. The society did this by ensuring that it bound and suppressed them by maintaining a male dominant environment. The society discouraged women from attending school because they were supposed to sit at home, do home chores and take care of children. In her reply, Sor Juana shows that she had the desire to learn but the society could not support her because she was a woman. She says that, â€Å"no teacher besides books themselves. † (De la Cruz 53) She had to study books on her own without the help of teachers. On the other hand boys of her age went to school and were taught be teachers. It is because of her intelligence and hard work tha t she managed to pursue her goals. We will write a custom essay sample on Self-Pity as a Dominant Emotion in Sor Juana's Reply to Sor Filotea de la Cruz or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Sor Juana shows the reader the struggle she passed through teaching herself several subjects that she lists throughout the text. (De la Cruz 53). The society did not allow women to be educated or put their ideas in writing. The society did not find anything useful that women would write. Her reply clearly shows the society’s position on the right of women to study and their courage to affirm their scholarly prowess. The church that was supposed to be non-partisan did not help much to ensure that women had better lives. Her letter shows that the Catholic Church expected women to adhere to its strict doctrines. In fact, during the early 1690s, the Catholic Church criticized and condemned sensual women. The doctrine advocated for male domination in the society. Men were the only people allowed to be church leaders. The church advocated for subordination of women creating household chores mandate for them. It stated that household chores were a set of workout activities or gymnastics that was important for women. She narrates the hardship that she had to pass though as a woman to gain or get though certain hardships. For instance she says, â€Å"I made myself a rule that if by the time it [her hair] had grown back to the same length†¦I would cut my hair off again to punish my dull-wittedness. † (De la Cruz 51). As a woman, she had to set targets and achieve them for her own good. Nobody cared to know whether she met targets or not because the society perceived women as weak human beings.