Posted by Mariela on April 19, 192003 at 21:43:54:
Sor Juana
After 3 readings and a little research I am able to understand the play – somewhat. The extensive references to political leaders, plays or letters written by Sor Juana and other playwrights like Carballido make the play a bit difficult to understand in its entirety. What is obvious is that Jesusa Rodriguez gives Sor Juana a voice to speak through in present day Mexico. It would be a voice of self defense and even revenge against machismo and interpretations done about her: about who she was, how she should act and what she should write about. She now has a voice against repression.
I found the play very clever and full of humor, especially ironic humor - very well used with the help of technical and more modern references (ie: sushi). The ways in which Sor Juana finds a way to do what she wants to do is evident in her play on words and her use of verse or prose – which directly criticize or make fun of people and situations with out being too direct. For example, she criticizes Octavio Paz for winning and accepting the Nobel Peace prize because what he really does is talk about peace while accusing people – specifically women. Here we can see how the play gives Sor Juana an opportunity to defend herself and respond to absurd accusations done. Life is no longer unfair for Sor Juana. She is alive and speaking up!
What is AMAZING is that the play shows us that not much has changed in the years. Sor Juana, if alive today, would still have to speak up and defend certain things that were condemned centuries before and are still condemned in 1995!