Sor Juana De La Cruz Comprehension Questions

The following questions are for both classroom discussion and personal comprehension. The ones that are in bold we will be covering in class and I will assign them to groups ahead of time. The other questions will be useful in your understanding of some key issues that de la Cruz is writing about.

Comprehension Questions

  • Provide some examples of her tone in the opening paragraphs. (405)
  • How does she contrast her sacred writing with her secular writing? (406-408)
  • Describe her early desire to read and learn. (408-410).
  • Describe her studies in the convent. (410)
  • List the various subjects she recommends for study. (410-411)
  • What is the "one condition that takes precedence over all the rest"? (b411)
  • Describe her manner and pattern of study. (412-413)
  • Who is "the center and circumference" of all things? (412)
  • Describe her daily interruptions. (412-413)
  • How does knowledge demand to operate in other areas of life? (413)
  • Describe her inclination to study and the opposition she encounters. (413-414)
  • Describe the attractiveness of the beauty of Christ. (414)
  • Describe how and why others are opposed to such superior gifts. (415)
  • Why does the world oppose reason? (415-416)
  • Why does Christ have a crown of thorns? (416)
  • Why does de la Cruz include the example of Christ and Lazarus? (417) Point to specific sentences to support your view.
  • Why does she include Peter here? (417-418)
  • Describe her habit of study even when forbidden to read.(418-419) What kinds of things does she study?
  • Describe her dreams. (419)
  • Describe her attitude of submission. (419-420)
  • Look over the examples of learned women she gives. What kinds of women does she mention? (420-421)
  • Why should only some be allowed to teach and interpret scripture? (421)
  • Why is study harmful for some? (422)
  • Describe St. Jerome’s education of Leta. (423)
  • why older women should educate younger women. (423)
  • How does she explain the passage "Let women learn in silence"? (424-425)
  • Why did she write secular verse? (426-427)
  • How does she defend her writing and intentions? (427ff.)