As we are introduced to the poem, and particularly its name,
it is made very clear, as to what is going to be imparted to us in the five minutes of this beautiful piece of poetry.
This piece is written by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz during the latter half of the 17th
century.
Considering the context and the background of the poetess is very
important in this case, as there is a brief lapse that distorts the ideas of
the 21st century from the ideas of the 17th century.
From being a
self-taught scholar and poet, she was also a Hyronymite Nun of New Spain.
Considered to be a well-known Mexican writer and also a writer of the Spanish golden
age, she has carried two literary emblems to her deathbed. Being a woman and
realising the potential of women as human beings (with lost hope); through her
work, she has made it a point for everyone to realise that women are no less
than men.
In this piece a very particular trend can be noticed; that
of degrading men and accusing them of the women’s societal problems (which of
course make sense). Right from the name of the poem to the last stanza, words
such as, ’perverse’, ’witless’, ’levity’, ’crass’, ’creatures’ etc. are either
used to describe men or what they do to the women or even the reaction to the
thought of woman.
Considering the context the argument seems feasible. It can
be said that the social concept of gender equality didn’t really exist. Women
never got a chance to explore or show their talents unless they were asked or
allowed to do so.
Men and their dominating nature was narrated in this piece
as well. Almost in every stanza the will of men is discussed and the fact that
everything that the man wants to happen will happen and has to happen. ‘Witless
Laws’ made by men with ‘logic crass’ isn’t exactly the best thing to have in
this world. How these laws restrict women from achieving anything and the
minimal freedom that is parted to them is reflected after a good reading of
this poem.
Women being just objects of use and the hypocrisy that men
employ when it comes to women is also a prevalent motif among the piece. The
last stanza rightly proves so.
In this very biased piece
of verses, she has brought about a certain disruption in the thought of
equality and contrasts the point of the poem as she makes the user think of distinguishing
man and woman instead of equality. Considering the time period this poem was
written in shows us the inhumane gender inequality that existed. With the
extreme gender partition that this poem creates, enchants one into thinking of
man and woman as two different entities opposed to just human beings. That
seems to be the only downside to the poem’s conclusion.
Thank you for such a clear and elaborate summary;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a clear and elaborate summary;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a clear and elaborate summary;)
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