Lieutenant Nun

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1997

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 6-10

Chapters 11-15

Chapters 16-19

Chapters 20-26

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

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Background

Historical Context: Spanish Colonialism in the Early Modern Period

Content Warning: This section discusses anti-Indigenous racism.

The events described in Lieutenant Nun took place during the height of Spanish colonialism in the 17th century, a period marked by Spain’s expansion of its empire in the Americas. Following the voyages of Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century, Spain established vast colonial territories in the “New World,” encompassing much of South and Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of North America. These territories were governed by a strict hierarchy and driven by the Spanish crown’s desire for wealth, religious conversion, and territorial expansion.

The era was characterized by the exploitation of Indigenous populations, who were often subjected to forced labor under the encomienda system: The lands in the Americas were divided among Spanish settlers, who were entitled to tax the Indigenous populations as long as they attempted to convert them. The primary goal of the colonial mission was to extract resources—particularly silver and gold—which were sent back to Spain, thereby fueling the European economy. Additionally, the Catholic Church played a significant role in the colonies by focusing on the conversion of Indigenous peoples to Christianity. This missionary activity often operated at the expense of traditional Indigenous cultures and beliefs.

Catalina de Erauso navigated this world, participating in some of the violent conflicts that defined the Spanish colonial enterprise, including raids against the Indigenous population and conflicts with rival colonial powers, such as the Dutch fleet she fought against. Her autobiography thus offers a unique perspective on the experience of Spanish settlers in this time period.

Critical Context: The Questions Over Catalina de Erauso’s Gender Identity and Sexuality

Erauso’s gender identity and sexuality have sparked considerable debate since her story emerged in the 17th century. To her contemporaries, her gender identity was largely understood through the lens of her successful deception. She was seen as a woman who, by living as a man, transcended traditional female roles, thus gaining admiration for her bravery and military prowess. Her unique status was recognized through the Pope granting her permission to continue dressing in masculine clothes.

Among modern scholars, the question of Erauso’s sexuality has been highlighted. Many focus on the fact that she never expresses attraction to any of the men she came across but details numerous relationships with women, even mentioning a preference for pretty faces. This school of thought responds to an earlier, 19th-century trend of retelling Erauso’s story with added heterosexual love interests or while downplaying her relationships with women. However, other modern scholars question if Erauso’s interactions with women were a consequence of her assumed male role rather than her own sexual orientation.

Likewise, some moder scholars view Erauso as an early example of a transgender individual. To evidence this claim, they highlight Erauso’s evident preference for male clothing and interpret her life as a reflection of gender dysphoria and rejection of her assigned gender. Other scholars interpret her actions as a strategic response to the limited opportunities available to women at the time, suggesting that her cross-dressing was more about survival and social mobility than an expression of gender identity. Another view suggests that to assume either possibility about a person who lived centuries ago is anachronistic and leans too far toward forcing a “narrative” into history that leads on a direct path to modern experiences.

Ultimately, the debate continues to be unresolved, as it is impossible to prove with certainty the personal beliefs of an individual from the 17th century. However, the debate surrounding Erauso has evolved with the growing development of studies in gender and sexuality and is likely to continue to do so.