Sor Filotea the Response Letter as a Feminist Writing - ReadScholars

Sor Filotea the Response Letter as a Feminist Writing

The letter "Response of the Poet to the eminent Sor Filotea" is often regarded as a feminist critique letter because it challenges traditional gender roles and argues for women's right to education and intellectual pursuits. It is a powerful feminist critique of the societal and religious structures that limit women's opportunities for education and intellectual growth. By challenging these structures and advocating for women's rights, Sor Juana paved the way for future generations of women to pursue their dreams and passions, regardless of gender-based restrictions. Here is how the Response letter of de la Cruz is a treaty of feminist writing.

First, the letter challenges the patriarchal structures of the church and society, which limit women's opportunities for education and intellectual growth. Second, Sor Juana argues that women have the same intellectual capacity as men and should be given the same opportunities to pursue knowledge. Here are a few examples of how the letter does this, with textual references to support each point:

Six Points with Textual References

1. Sor Juana argues that women have the same intellectual capacity as men and should be given the same opportunities to pursue knowledge. She writes:

"[Women] have as much inclination to study as men, and with their learning, they can serve their God and their King as well as men can, if not better." (Respuesta a SorFilotea, para. 9)

By asserting that women are just as capable as men regarding learning and scholarship, Sor Juana challenges the idea that women are inherently inferior or unsuited for intellectual pursuits. Furthermore, this challenges the patriarchal notion that women are naturally suited to domestic roles and should not be involved in scholarly activities.

2. Sor Juana defends her decision to pursue scholarship and learning, despite societal expectations that women should be limited to domestic roles. She writes:

"Surely it is not logical that God, who gives the mind so that one might know Him, should wish to see it idle. Rather, He shows that He approves of learning by the fact that He chose to be born in a city where there were great schools." (Respuesta a SorFilotea, para. 20)

Here, Sor Juana suggests that God approves of learning and that it is not logical to believe that women should be denied the opportunity to pursue it. This challenges the patriarchal idea that women should be confined to traditional roles in the home and not allowed to pursue other interests or careers.

3. Sor Juana also argues that women have valuable insights and contributions to make in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as theology and philosophy. She writes:

"[Women] have advanced their knowledge so far in these fields that they have shown up many men who plume themselves on their superiority in these areas."

By asserting that women have contributed to traditionally male-dominated fields, Sor Juana challenges the patriarchal idea that women are not suited for or capable of intellectual pursuits. This also challenges the notion that women's perspectives and contributions are not valuable or important in these fields.

It is a solid challenge to the patriarchal shapes of the church and society by advocating for women's right to education and intellectual pursuits and highlighting the valuable contributions women can make, not less in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Secondly, the letter defends the right of women to choose their path in life, whether as a wife and mothers or as a nun pursuing a life of learning and service. Sor Juana rejects the notion that women are inferior to men or should be limited to traditional roles in the home.

4. Sor Juana also fends her decision to become a nun and tells how and why she had pursued a learning life. While she argued that this was the path she felt to take. She writes:

"If it was a mistake for me to write, it arose from the mistaken judgment that I had a talent for letters. And if it was a mistake for me to take religious vows, it arose from the mistaken judgment that I had a vocation for a life of religion." (letter) Here, Sor Juana suggests that her decision to become a nun and pursue a scholarship was based on her talents and interests. The challenges that patriarchy shapes are that women should be limited to traditional home roles and not be allowed to pursue other interests or careers.

5. Sor Juana, in another place, says that women should be allowed to pursue knowledge and learning regardless of their chosen path in life. She writes:

"[Women] should not be forbidden from reading whatever they like, for knowledge cannot harm a virtuous woman. On the contrary, knowledge is the adornment that [somebody] can never be taken away from her."

By the argument that knowledge is an adornment that [somebody] can never be taken away from a virtuous woman. Sor Juana suggests that women should be allowed to pursue education and learning regardless of their chosen path in life. Such challenges in the patriarchal society were like traveling Milky Way in a go. She further clears that women's only role is to be wives and mothers and that education and learning are not crucial for women. All this is an untold traditional law [kind of thing] after years of such gender attitudes.

6. Sor Juana acknowledges that some women may pursue traditional roles in the home but argues that this should be a choice rather than a requirement. She writes:

"Some women might be suited to household duties, but others are not. It is up to each woman to choose what suits her best, and the freedom to choose must be accorded to her." [letter] Here, Sor Juana suggests that women should be allowed to choose their goals in life, whether as a wife and mothers or as a nun pursuing a life of learning and service. Patriarchal society's challenges define women as being confined to traditional roles in the home and not being allowed to pursue other interests or careers.

It is a robust defense of women's right to choose their path in life, whether as a wife and mother or as a nun pursuing a life of learning and service. She argues that women should be allowed to pursue education and learning regardless of their chosen path and that the freedom to choose must be accorded to each woman.

Thirdly, the letter points out how women's voices and perspectives are often silenced or ignored in male-dominated fields, such as theology and philosophy. Sor Juana argues that women have valuable insights and contributions to make in these fields and that their voices should be heard.

In Her Letter

Sor Juana argues that women are not inferior to men regarding intelligence or capability. Still, they are held back by a lack of access to education and opportunities for self-expression. One of the critical ways Sor Juana highlights the silencing of women's voices and perspectives is by drawing attention to the restrictions placed on women's education. She argues that women are often denied the opportunity to pursue knowledge and intellectual pursuits simply because of their gender. For example, she writes in the last paragraph of page 191: "I am an ignorant woman – would take the measure of our talent before studying and (what is worse)." For men, it is not a disgrace to be ignorant, but it is a disgrace for women not to know, especially since they are charged with children's education and the family's upbringing. And if women happen to be learned, they are ridiculed and scorned.

Sor Juana points out the double standard in society, where men can be ignorant without criticism. Still, women are expected to be knowledgeable and capable of educating their children, despite not being given the same opportunities to learn. She also highlights how women's voices and perspectives are often dismissed or ignored in male-dominated fields. She argues that women are given different opportunities than men to express their ideas and opinions and that their contributions should be noticed and appreciated. She writes on pages 156 and 157, "Would that a woman who is now silenced might have spoken out, and thereby blazed a trail for others who would follow! But alas! Those who have dared to break this silence have always been punished terribly." She gives Moses a reference to make the statement reliable. She refers to the harsh consequences women have faced historically for speaking out and challenging the status quo. By pointing out these injustices, she calls attention to women's need for greater access to education and opportunities for self-expression.

Conclusion

Thus, Sor Juana's letter is a powerful critique of how women's voices and perspectives have been silenced and ignored throughout history. Drawing attention to these issues, she makes a compelling argument for why women need equal access to education and opportunities for self-expression. It's a seminal work of feminist writing that challenges gender-based restrictions and advocates for women's rights and options. Feminists throughout history have felt its impact, and it continues to be a powerful inspiration for women today who seek to break down barriers and achieve equality.