This semester, I'm trying to do complete my Intermediate Creative Writing Project. After much heart-rending decision-making effort, I decided to do something I've always been interested in; historical fiction. Sor Juana is one of the most astounding female historical figures I know about, and I've been studying Golden Age women for a long time.

Please bear with me as I attempt to tell her story bit by bit. It'll be a novel some day. Read it. Enjoy it. Give me feedback (please).

(Go back to my front page to see the rest of my stuff!)

And below is the lifeline of the Décima Musa herself....

Lifeline: Juana Inés Ramírez

1651: Born November 12th at 11 at night in San Miguel de Nepantla, Mexico, 12 leagues from Mexico City.
(Controversy: Many scholars believe the baptismal record of 1648 is hers.)
Mother Isabel Ramírez, father was Pedro Manuel de Asbaje.

1655: Four years old, followed sisters to school and got lessons. Learns to read.

1657: Her mother refused to send her to the University dressed as a boy. Dedicated herself to learn at home. Soon, could read every book in her grandpa's library.

1659: Eight years old. Composes a loa to the Holy Sacrament and wins first prize: a book.
Her grandfather dies, Juana's sent to live with uncle Juan de Mata and maternal aunt in Mexico City.
(Controversy: many people wonder if she wasn't abused at this point by her uncle.)
(Controversy: Callejas writes, in his autobiography, that she went to live with her grandfather, and so many people take this at face value. But he also says that she learned to read in his library in Nepantla. And Juana herself says she went to live with her uncles, I believe).

1664: Presented to Royal Court.

1664-1667: Lived at the Royal Court and was favorite companion to Leonor Carreto, Marquesa de Mancera.
(Controversy: some people believe they were lovers).

1667: 16 years old. Competed against tribunal of all 40 of the professors of the University, and bested them. Entered Convent of Carmelitas Descalzas of San José on April 14th. Her health broke down under the excessively harsh lifestyle they practice. Leaves on November 18th.

1669: Health recovered, enters Convent of San Jerónimo. Friends faked her geneology to get her in. Court paid her dowry. Takes name of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
Mother gives her a slave, Juana de San José.

1672: Doña Leonor died en route to Veracruz, when they were preparing to leave Spain in 1674.

1673: Replacement Viceroy dies three days after arriving in Mexico.

1680: Next Viceroys entered Mexico: Marquis de la Laguna and the Countess de Pareda, Maria Luisa. Friends, supporters, admirers. Made her again "the darling of the court."
Designed triumphal arch (Neptuno alegórico) in Mexico City to welcome new heads of state: Tomás de la Cerda and wife. Only woman in history to receive such an assignment.
Possible date for composition of "Hombres necios que acusáis," her mmost inflammatory feminist poem.

1683: Los empeños de una casa (the Trials of a Noble House), theater piece, performed.

1685: Wrote most famous poem, Primero sueño. Philosophical, intellectual disillusionment.

1688: Mother dies.

1689: First book published in Madrid: Inundación castálida.. Had been brought back from Mexico by Marquis and Maria Luisa.

1690: Debunked theories popularly held by the church (created in a 1650 sermon by priest Vieira), in her letter Carta atenagórica, or Crisis sobre un sermón. Written to Manuel de Santa Cruz, bishop of Puebla. Published without her permission.
Sent Padre Antonio Núñez de Miranda an angry letter dismissing him as her confessor. Autodefensa espiritual (Spiritual self-defense). Now confesses with Pedro de Arellano y Sosa.

1691: Respuesta (Reply) to Sor Filotea de la Cruz written angrily back to "Sor Filotea" (Fernández de Santa Cruz) Núñez de Miranda (confessor) and Aguiar y Seijas (woman-phobic archbishop of Mexico). Written three months later. Published posthumously. Cited over 40 women who had made important historical contributions.

1692: Second book published in Sevilla: Segundo volumen. Contains much more of her work.

1693: Writes Petición que en forma causdica presenta al Tribunal Divino (petition to the Divine Tribunal).

1692-5: Gave up all posessions, instruments, library (4,000 books).
Signed statements of repentance: La protesta que rubrica con su sangre (Profession of the faith signed with her own blood). March 5th.
Invited her confessor Núñez to return to her.
Did so much penance that even he asked her to stop.

1695: April 17th. Died in Convent of San Jerónimo, Mexico City. Jewels, money unifinished poetry found in her cell.
10 other nuns died as well in the epidemic.

1700: First biography done by Diego Calleja, S.J. (Santo Jesuita).
Volume three of her works published.

1713: First portrait painted posthumously by Juan de Miranda.

• (I've forgotten to note down the past two books, though...)
• P. Diego de Calleja, S.J., La vida de Sor Juana, Mexico, 1700. Pps. 11-80.
• Peden, Margaret, and Gabriel Seymour. A Woman of Genius. Lime Rock Press: Salisbury, CN. 1982. Pps. 1-183.
• Gaspar de Alba, Alicia. Sor Juana's Second Dream. University of New Mexico Press: Albuquerque. 1999. Pps. 3-457.
• ...plus about a million university-founded websites...