“[The Answer] is eloquent, sardonic, learned and, particularly in its autobiographical part, of great freshness.”—The Times Literary Supplement
“One of the landmarks of Renaissance literature and . . . in the history of intellectual freedom. . . . This is essential reading.”—Stephen Greenblatt, best-selling author and professor
“Recommended for informed readers.”—Library Journal
Expanded to include fresh translations, an updated bibliography, and the letter that provoked the writing of The Answer, this new edition of the bilingual, critical bestseller provides the most accurate translations of works by the iconic seventeenth-century Mexican nun Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
Preface to the Second Edition vii
Preface to the First Edition xvii
Acknowledgments xxi
Abbreviations xxiii
Chronology xxiv
Introduction
I Sor Juana's Life and Work 1
Juana Ramirez / Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (1648/51-1695): A Life Without and Within 1
A Poet-Scholar: Sor Juana's Writing 15
II La Respuesta / The Answer: A Reading 19
Sor Juana's Art and Argument 19
The Issues at Stake 25
A Different Worldview, a Different Law: A Woman-Centered Vision 31
A Note on the Texts 37
Respuesta de la poetisa a la muy ilustre sor Filotea de la Cruz 38
The Poet's Answer to the Most Illustrious Sister Filotea de la Cruz 39
Annotations to La Respuesta / The Answer 106
Selected Poems
Introduction 144
Romance: Prologo al lector / Ballad: Prologue to the Reader of these Poems 154
Sonetos / Sonnets
Este, que ves, engano colorido 158
This object which you see 159
Si los riesgos del mar considerara 158
With all the hazards of the sea in mind 159
Esta tarde, mi bien, cuando te hablaba 160
This afternoon, my darling, when we spoke 161
Detente, sombra de mi bien esquivo 160
Don't leave me, shadow of elusive love 161
<$$$>Que es esto, Alcino? 162
What's this, Alcino? 163
Mandas, Anarda, que sin llanto asista 162
Anarda, you command me to observe 163
Satira filosofica / Philosophical Satire
Hombres necios que acusais 164
You foolish and unreasoning men 165
Villancicos / Carols
For the Feast of the Assumption, 1676
Vengan a ver una apuesta 168
They're betting, so hurry for all that you're worth 169
La soberana Doctora 172
She is a sovereign Doctor 173
Aquella Zagala 174
That shepherd lass 175
Forthe Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, 1691
De una mujer se convencen 178
The learned men of Egypt 179
Rosa es, cuyo casto velo 182
She is a Rose, and when she flowered 183
Erase una Nina 186
Once upon a time this Girl 187
Romance epistolar / Epistolary Ballad
Valgate Apolo por hombre! 190
Apollo help you, as you're a man! 191
Romance decasilabo / Ballad in Variant Meter
Lamina sirva el Cielo al retrato 202
Heavenly should be the canvas to bear the portrait 203
Selected Bibliographies
Bibliography to the Second Edition 207
Bibliography to the First Edition 213
Appendix
Carta de Sor Filotea de la Cruz 222
Letter from Sor Filotea de la Cruz 223
Index 232
Overview
“[The Answer] is eloquent, sardonic, learned and, particularly in its autobiographical part, of great freshness.”—The Times Literary Supplement
“One of the landmarks of Renaissance literature and . . . in the history of intellectual freedom. . . . This is essential reading.”—Stephen Greenblatt, best-selling author and professor
“Recommended for informed readers.”—Library Journal
Expanded to include fresh translations, an updated bibliography, ...