Detente sombra de mi bien esquivo: por uma leitura queer de Sor Juana Inés de La Cruz

Abstract

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz is one of the greatest names of the Spanish Golden Age. Born in the region that is now Mexico, Sor Juana defied norms by questioning the place reserved for women in her society from an early age, even considering dressing as a man to pursue her studies. She also engaged in theological debates with prominent figures of Catholic thought of her time, such as Father Antônio Vieira. This work aims to investigate whether these elements allow for a queer reading of her work. Through an integrative literature review, it was possible to identify scholarly texts produced on important categories for the proposed analysis. The scarcity of literature found led to the decision to include works by Judith Buttler and Judithe Bennet in the readings. From the readings, categories and concepts were identified to be applied during the literary analysis: queer theory, lesbian-like, and position of speech. Additionally, biographical data of Sor Juana were collected, equally important to understand her as a queer figure. The queer reading of literary works and historical figures, in addition to enriching the possibilities of literary analysis, is an important element of political action for marginalized groups. Respecting the position of speech and recognizing the role of female protagonism in women’s studies, its adoption points to possibilities for future studies, either by expanding the scope of analyzed texts by Sor Juana herself or by seeking other contemporary female authors.