JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Clarity the Prodigy the Woman the Disobedient the Penitent.

  • Published In: Ploughshares, 2026, v. 52, n. 1. P. 49 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: WALDMAN, ANNE 3 of 3

Abstract

The poem centers on Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a 17th-century Mexican nun and poet, exploring her intellectual defiance and creative spirit within the constraints of her religious and colonial context. It reflects on her pursuit of knowledge ("gnosis") in fields like rhetoric, logic, and philosophy despite societal subjugation and gender norms. The poem also touches on themes of identity, autonomy, and the tension between colonial authority and indigenous wisdom. Through vivid imagery, it honors Sor Juana’s legacy as a pioneering autodidact and challenges imposed boundaries on her expression and love. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Ploughshares. 2026/03, Vol. 52, Issue 1, p49
  • Document Type:Poem
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0048-4474
  • Accession Number:192780120
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