Sor Juana's Los empeños de una casa [The Trials of a Noble House]

This essay will examine a case of cultural exchange and literary influence between Europe and New Spain, focusing primarily on a prolific literary figure: the Mexican nun, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1648/51–95). It is interesting to note that Sor Juana’s collected works were first published in Spain – rather than in New Spain. This is suggestive of Sor Juana’s complex relationship with Mexican society, which both embraced and excluded her (Howe 157). ¹ Furthermore, it illustrates the close interrelationship between Golden-Age Spanish literature and Sor Juana’s writing, as well as her enduring popularity and support within Spain. In this essay, reference will firstly be made to some Spanish figures who influenced Sor Juana’s playwriting: namely, the viceregal couple, and the Spanish author and priest, Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600–81). Then, I will turn to examine some of the novel aspects of one of her secular dramatic works, Los empeños de una casa (The Trials of a Noble House), particularly its innovative response to Spanish literary influence. ²