The Tree of Knowledge: A Pessimistic Journey of a Spanish Doctor

Posted on Sep 18, 2024 in English

Part One: The Life of a Student in Madrid

Andrew’s Intellectual and Spiritual Formation

This part portrays the intellectual and spiritual development of Andrés, primarily during his university years in Madrid. We are introduced to his family: Don Pedro, his tyrannical and hypocritical father whom he despises; Alexander, his older brother, a playboy and parasite whom he also despises; Peter, towards whom he feels some sympathy; Margarita, anodyne, resigned, and good; and Luisito, his younger brother, weak and sickly, for whom he feels compassion.

During these years, Andrés befriends a disparate group: Lamela, Julio Aracil, Montaner, and Ibarra. He undergoes a significant psychological and intellectual evolution. Initially drawn to novels, he gradually delves deeper into philosophy.

Life’s experiences, including his brother’s illness, his time at the San Juan de Dios Hospital (where he witnesses the cruelty of physicians and the treatment of patients), and his reading of Schopenhauer, contribute to his growing pessimism. He begins to abandon his assets, becoming increasingly sad and losing hope in the possibility of changing human nature.

Andrés’s Internship and Growing Disillusionment

Andrés takes on an internship at a hospital, where he realizes his vocation lies more in medical psychology. He observes and describes the pervasive atmosphere of corruption within the hospital.

Part Two: La Carnaria

Andrés’s Encounters and Philosophical Discussions

Andrés becomes acquainted with the Minglanilla family (Doña Leonarda, Nini, and Lulu) and develops a friendship with Lulu. One night, Andrés and some friends embark on a tour of various places in Madrid, including the home of Mrs. Virginia, an abortionist and madam; the residence of Villasuso, an old-fashioned romantic playwright struggling to provide for his daughters, Pure and Ernestina; and the house of Lulu, where he encounters a cast of eccentric characters such as Don Cleto, the Black, the Maestrino, and Don Martin.

The chapter concludes with a conversation between Andrés and his uncle Iturrioz, during which Andrés seeks a philosophical interpretation of the lives of the people he has encountered, particularly those residing in Lulu’s house. Their discussion revolves around the following points:

• Iturrioz views these lives through the lens of Darwin’s theory of the struggle for survival, suggesting that life is a constant battle in which individuals prey on each other.
• Andrés, however, believes that the struggle for life applies to the animal kingdom but not to resigned and flawed human beings.
• Iturrioz argues that human behavior mirrors that of animals, and there are various ways to fight and thrive in human life, citing the example of Andrés’s miserly uncle as a parasite who survives by exploiting others.
• Andrés counters that humans differ from animals in their capacity for feelings, such as justice.
• Iturrioz concludes by asserting that justice is a human invention, like many other artificial constructs. He believes that the human world is inherently animalistic, and both realms share the same fundamental laws: birth, growth, reproduction, and death.

Symbolism and Andrés’s Dilemma

The conversation takes place on a rooftop overlooking a school and a friary, symbolizing two contrasting approaches to life: the vitality of the school and the artificial, unnatural seclusion of the friary. The part ends with Andrés grappling with the question of which path to choose, which attitude to adopt in life. As a sensitive and intelligent individual, he is reluctant to embrace the role of a hunter and struggles to find his place in the harsh reality of existence.

Part Three: Sadness and Pain

Luisito’s Illness and Andrés’s Move to Valencia

This part begins during Andrés’s final year of medical school. Luisito’s health deteriorates, prompting Andrés to travel to Valencia in search of a house where Luisito can recuperate in the fresh air, as he is suspected of having tuberculosis. After graduating, Andrés moves to Valencia to care for his brother. They enjoy a period of tranquility, finding solace in nature.

Financial Struggles and Luisito’s Death

Andrés’s father is unable to financially support two households, forcing Andrés, Margarita, and Luisito to move in with relatives in Valencia. Finding work proves challenging for Andrés, leading him to pursue a doctorate. He endures the winters in Valencia.

Upon returning to Madrid to defend his thesis, Andrés receives news of Luisito’s death. This loss profoundly impacts him, transforming his previous pessimistic suffering into a nihilistic indifference.

Part Four: Inquisition

Reunion with Ibarra and Philosophical Debates

Back in Madrid, Andrés reconnects with Ibarra, who has recovered from his arthritis, studied engineering, and become an inventor. Andrés engages in further philosophical discussions with his uncle Iturrioz:

• Andrés seeks a comprehensive explanation for the origin and existence of the world, one that encompasses both physical and moral cosmology, as well as biology.
• Iturrioz advises him to explore the works of French and English philosophers, whom he considers more practical and less metaphysical than the Germans, who seem to have greatly influenced Andrés.
• Andrés remains drawn to the theories of German philosophers, particularly Kant, who posits that time and space are not inherent realities but rather constructs of human intelligence, devoid of existence outside of consciousness.
• Andrés articulates his empiricist views, arguing that external experience is not inherently true, our senses can deceive us, and absolute truths do not exist. He believes that only science, through the laws of causality, provides some meaning to life, suggesting that truth is essentially the unanimous agreement of all intelligent minds.
• Andrés introduces the metaphor of the”tree of science” which he believes has an improving tendency that ultimately”kills” In contrast, he sees the”tree of lif” as encompassing ignorance, faith, fiction, and superstition—elements that, while not based in truth, are”health” for life.
• Iturrioz critiques rationalism, arguing that science and a materialistic way of life have stripped the world of its illusion and mystery. He expresses a belief that a revitalized Society of Jesus would be beneficial, instilling values such as serenity and courage, devoid of Judeo-Christian sentimentality or sadness.

Part Five: Experience in Town

Andrés’s Time in Alcolea

Andrés accepts a position as the primary physician in Alcolea, a village in La Mancha. He initially stays at an inn, where he meets Juan Sanchez, the town doctor, and the town clerk. The summer heat is intense. Upon the arrival of September, Andrés moves out of the inn and becomes a houseguest of a local family.

Dorothea, the Townspeople, and Growing Nihilism

Andrés develops an attraction to Dorothea, the beautiful wife of his taciturn landlord, Pepinito. He gains prestige among the townspeople by curing the miller’s daughter, which creates animosity with Sanchez. However, Andrés observes and becomes disillusioned by the life and character of the people—their antisocial behavior, caciquismo (political bossism), individualism, and lack of concerns. He finds their resigned, backward, and uncritical way of life disheartening, further fueling his nihilism. He concludes that it is better to stop thinking and decides to simply let life unfold.

Boredom, Despair, and Ataraxia

As winter sets in, Andrés starts frequenting the casino, where he befriends the pianist and Don Blas Carreño, a wealthy gentleman. He feels a sense of sympathy for these eccentric characters. Don Blas lives detached from reality, immersed in the language and lifestyle of Cervantes. However, Andrés grows bored and despairs among the townspeople. In an attempt to distract himself, he considers writing and shifts his focus from philosophical readings to literature and history. However, philosophy continues to haunt him, and he finds no motivation.

Seeking ways to escape his state of disappointment, Andrés contemplates marriage but is unwilling to sacrifice his independence. He decides to change his eating and lifestyle habits, aiming for self-improvement. He enters a state of ataraxia, a sense of tranquility and freedom from distress. However, he faces increasing antipathy from the townspeople, which he reciprocates. Andrés feels even more marginalized in Alcolea than he did in Madrid.

Departure from Alcolea

In the spring, Andrés resigns from his position and prepares to leave Alcolea. On the night before his departure, he has a sexual encounter with Dorothea, feeling justified in his actions because he believes her foolish and miserable husband does not deserve her. As he travels back to Madrid, stopping for three days in Aranjuez, Andrés is baffled by his own behavior.

Part Six: Madrid Experience

War, Indifference, and Reunions

Upon Andrés’s return to Madrid, the war with Cuba and the Philippines breaks out. He secures a three-month replacement position. He observes the initial surge of Spanish patriotism and excitement surrounding the war, followed by indifference and apathy when the colonies are lost. Andrés visits his uncle Iturrioz, and they engage in another conversation, during which Andrés discusses his experiences in Alcolea and the resigned spirit of the poor. Iturrioz presents a Nietzschean perspective, arguing that slaves possess a slave mentality, and it is the cowardice of the poor that prevents them from progressing, evolving, and breaking free from their shackles.

Andrés reconnects with Montaner, who is unemployed, and Julio, who is thriving in life due to his lack of scruples. He also sees Ibarra, who plans to go abroad to patent his inventions, believing that Spain is a country that neither supports nor believes in progress. Andrés encounters Lulu again, who has managed to open a shop thanks to her sister Nini’s marriage to a wealthy older man.

Growing Antisocial Behavior and Disillusionment

Andrés finds employment as a hygiene doctor but becomes increasingly antisocial. He holds both the rich and the poor in contempt, viewing the former as exploiters and the latter as resigned to their exploitation. He leaves his job because his interactions with prostitutes, pimps, and lovers deepen his depression. Andrés continues to visit Lulu and accepts a position as a doctor at La Esperanza, a clinic serving the poor. However, his encounters with poverty, ignorance, misery, and absurd resignation only intensify his bitterness and aggression.

Villasuso’s Death and Lulu’s Presence

During one of his visits to old acquaintances, Andrés learns that Villasuso has gone mad and is living in abject poverty. Villasuso dies a few days later, and his bohemian poet friends hold a pathetic and surreal wake, behaving as if the deceased had experienced catalepsy. Andrés’s encounters with Lulu become more frequent. He maintains a relationship with her, but it is devoid of passion, reflecting his general approach to life.

Part Seven: The Experience of the Child

Marriage, Fear, and Morphine

In another conversation with Iturrioz, Andrés, deeply concerned about genetic inheritance, raises the issue of the potential consequences of two weak individuals marrying and having children. He makes the decision to marry Lulu and secures a job as a translator of medical books, distancing himself from the humane treatment of patients. He enters a period of peace and tranquility—another instance of ataraxia.

Their happiness is short-lived, as Lulu’s refusal to have children distresses Andrés. When she eventually becomes pregnant, his old fears resurface. He is terrified of the responsibility that comes with a child, fearing that it will awaken all the ghosts he has worked so hard to suppress. Andrés starts using morphine to escape his thoughts.

Tragic End and Iturrioz’s Reflection

Tragically, the child dies a few days after birth, and Lulu also passes away. On the day of the funeral, Andrés commits suicide by poisoning himself. The book concludes with Iturrioz’s reflection on Andrés’s life and death. He observes that Andrés died painlessly, not driven by suicidal despair or the grief of losing his loved ones, but rather by nihilism. Iturrioz believes that Andrés was ill-suited for life and that his marriage to Lulu had provided him with a temporary illusion of comfort. With Lulu’s death, Andrés was left with nothing, and Iturrioz speculates that he would have likely taken his own life sooner had she lived. In Iturrioz’s view, Andrés was always dead in a sense, his excessive consciousness preventing him from experiencing the joys of life.

Structure

External Structure

The novel consists of 53 chapters divided into 7 parts.

Internal Structure

The novel’s internal structure can be analyzed as follows:

1. Parts I and II: Andrés’s Formative Stage
   • Introduction to his close friends: Aracil, Montaner, etc.
   • Experiences with his brother’s illness and his encounter with Lulu.
   • Completion of his medical studies and contemplation of his place in life (symbolized by the school and the convent).
2. Part III: From Pessimism to Nihilism
   • Luisito’s illness and death intensify Andrés’s philosophical reflections, leading to increased pessimism and confusion.
   • The contrasting figures of Luisito (sensitive and intelligent) and his friend Choriset (savage and primitive) reinforce Andrés’s Darwinian views applied to humanity: the strong survive.
   • Andrés experiences uncertainty, boredom, and confusion, marking the evolution of his personality from pessimism to nihilism.
3. Part IV: Intermediate Reflection
   • Philosophical discussions with Iturrioz, including the metaphor of the”tree of knowledg” (truth and suffering) versus the”tree of lif” (useful lies).
   • Exploration of the idea that intelligence and science are inherently decadent because they expose the harsh realities of existence.
   • Introduction of the racial theme, with Semitism representing self-interest and lies.
4. Parts V and VI: New Experiences
   • Andrés’s time as a doctor in Alcolea, highlighting the idiosyncrasies of the townspeople, their lack of solidarity, and his first sexual experience.
   • Return to Madrid, reunion with Lulu and old friends (Aracil, Montaner, Ibarra, Villasuso), and the outbreak of the war in Cuba.
   • Andrés’s pessimism deepens.
5. Part VII: Outcome
   • Andrés’s marriage to Lulu, the birth and death of their child, Lulu’s death, and Andrés’s suicide.

Characters

Andrés Hurtado

The undisputed protagonist of the novel, Andrés is present in all 53 chapters. He begins his intellectual formation with a diverse range of knowledge, his library containing medical and biological treatises, novels, and a history of the French Revolution. Even in his student days, he realizes that he is more interested in the ideas and feelings of patients than in the symptoms of their illnesses. He expresses republican ideas but does not align himself with any particular political ideology. He despises both the rich and the poor, recognizing the flaws of each class. Andrés believes in social classes and exhibits a constant aristocratic tendency, looking down upon vulgarity.

He is a man of action who finds himself surrounded by an ignorant, cowardly, and resigned populace, unable to challenge the injustices of life. This, coupled with his rebellious and critical spirit, embitters him and contributes to his pessimism. Andrés is cold in love, lacking passion for anything in life except for unraveling the logic and mysteries that govern it. In the absence of metaphysical answers and disillusioned by human behavior, he sinks into an existential angst that ultimately leads to his suicide. The novel provides no physical description of Andrés, as Baroja focuses primarily on his psychological development.

Why a Man of Action?

Despite his pessimism and skepticism, Andrés demonstrates throughout the novel that he is a man of action. He possesses a critical and rebellious spirit, fighting against hypocrisy, cruelty, and cowardice whenever possible. Examples of his actions include:

• He opposes his father’s lifestyle and unjust, tyrannical character.
• He criticizes the doctors at the San Juan de Dios Hospital for their cruelty and mistreatment of patients.
• He confronts the director of a newspaper who had published a story mocking Villasuso and making light of his situation.
• He defends Lulu from Manolo”the Chafandí” by attacking him with a chair, while Aracil, who is present, shrinks back.
• In Alcolea, he defends the truth and seeks justice for”Uncle Garrota” whom the townspeople falsely accuse of murder.

Julio Aracil

Andrés’s friend and fellow medical student, Julio is described as having a”Semitic type” with brown hair and bulging eyes. He is realistic, materialistic, pragmatic, and more cunning than intelligent. Julio is well-adapted to life and thrives due to his lack of scruples, living comfortably without concern for others.

Montaner

A blond, blue-eyed man, Montaner represents the”Iberian typ” in contrast to Aracil’s”Semitic type” He is a monarchist and a supporter of the bourgeoisie and aristocracy. Initially, he clashes ideologically with Andrés, but they eventually develop a degree of complicity. Andrés enjoys engaging in discussions about politics, literature, and music with Montaner because he appreciates that Montaner has his own ideas.

Fermín Ibarra

A man who suffers from arthritis, Ibarra is a relatively mysterious character. After recovering from his illness, he surprises everyone with his skills as an inventor. Discouraged by the lack of support for innovation in Spain, he decides to go to Belgium to patent his inventions.

Rafael Sanudo

An engineering student and a Wagnerian.

Antonio Lamela

An older student who befriends Andrés because they both possess an inner life that sets them apart from their peers. Lamela is romantic and quixotic, his idealism distorting his perception of reality to the point that he sees his unattractive lover as a beautiful lady. At the same time, he is fun-loving and often drunk. Far from seeing his contradictory attitudes as a problem, he embraces what he calls”practical idealism” his motto being”Give the body what the body needs, and the soul what the soul needs”

Letamendi

One of Andrés’s professors, Letamendi publishes a book that attempts to apply mathematics to biology. Initially, Andrés is drawn to his theories but eventually realizes that they lack scientific rigor.

Lulu

Not particularly graceful but possessing a sarcastic sense of humor, Lulu is intelligent, neurotic, pessimistic, and somewhat peculiar. She has exhibited strange behaviors since childhood. Unconventional and not very feminine, her courage and wit set her apart from other women, which is why Andrés enjoys talking to her. However, like many women of her time, she eventually succumbs to the societal pressure to become a mother.

Doña Leonarda and Nini

Lulu’s mother and sister, respectively. They are depicted as superficial and out of touch with the realities of their poverty. They cling to the past and aspire only to marry well, hoping that Nini’s marriage to a wealthy man will lift them out of their misery.

Villasuso

A poet and playwright, Villasuso represents the archetype of the starving artist. His romanticism and bohemian lifestyle have left him impoverished and unable to provide for his children. He eventually goes insane and dies penniless, his life serving as a cautionary tale against impractical idealism.

Iturrioz

Rather than a fully developed character, Iturrioz functions as a mouthpiece for the author’s philosophical ideas. He serves as an intellectual counterpoint to Andrés, engaging in debates about science and philosophy. It is through Iturrioz that Baroja presents alternative perspectives and challenges Andrés’s worldview. In the end, it is Iturrioz who offers the final interpretation of Andrés’s life and death.

Other Characters

• Dorotea: Andrés’s landlady in Alcolea. She is beautiful, kind, and resigned to social conventions but not completely bound by them, as evidenced by her sexual encounter with Andrés.
• Pepinito: Dorothea’s husband. He is vulgar, taciturn, and brutish.
• Don Juan Sanchez: The doctor in Alcolea. He is hypocritical and unethical, prioritizing profit and prestige over the well-being of his patients.
• Don Blas Carreño and the Pianist: An eccentric but likable pair whom Andrés befriends in Alcolea. Don Blas is a wealthy gentleman who lives in a world of his own, communicating in the language of Cervantes and oblivious to reality. The pianist is his constant companion.
• Choriset: A friend Luisito makes while in Valencia. Insensitive, savage, and physically robust, he represents the antithesis of the frail and intellectual Luisito. Choriset embodies the Darwinian ideal of the strong, thriving in a world that is indifferent to the weak.

Among Lulu’s neighbors, several notable characters include:

• Doña Venancia: Embodies the resignation and sacrifices of the poor. She accepts her social condition without hope of improvement, viewing it as an unchangeable fate. Doña Venancia represents the passive acceptance of suffering that Andrés finds so disheartening.
• The Black’s Aunt: An alcoholic and a republican.
• Doña Pitusa: A beggar with a fondness for alcohol. She lives with her son, Chop, a vindictive and mean-spirited funeral home worker.
• La Paca: A Galician woman who runs a boarding house.
• Don Cleto: The”philosophe” of the neighborhood. Shabby in appearance but cultured and educated, he emphasizes stoicism as a way of life.
• The Maestrino: A man from La Mancha who lives in a pharmacy. He is pedantic and pretentious.
• A nickname derived from his profession as a loan shark. He is a mean and shady character.

Time

The novel spans approximately ten years, with Andrés dying around the age of 28. The timeline of events can be summarized as follows:

• Part I: Covers most of Andrés’s medical school years, from his first year through the first half of his fourth year, including summer breaks.
• Part II: Contains vague time references (e.g., Carnival season). It is assumed that this part takes place during the second half of Andrés’s fourth year, although there is no mention of final exams.
• Part III: Begins with Andrés’s final year of medical school. He graduates in June, prepares his doctoral thesis, defends it in May, and then spends two months as a substitute doctor in a town near Burgos. The part ends thirteen months after Luisito’s death.
• Part IV: Takes place over one summer in Madrid.
• Part V: Covers one year in Alcolea.
• Part VI: Spans approximately one year, beginning with Andrés’s return to Madrid and ending in the summer. During this time, he spends three months as a replacement doctor and witnesses the outbreak and early stages of the war with Cuba and the Philippines.
• Part VII: Takes place over one year and nine months. It begins with Andrés’s marriage to Lulu. They conceive a child after a year of marriage. The baby dies at birth, Lulu dies a few days later, and Andrés commits suicide the day after Lulu’s funeral.

Space

The novel is set in various locations in Spain, primarily in Madrid and the surrounding areas. The spatial setting of each part is as follows:

• Parts I and II: Madrid, including the university, bars, taverns, and tenement houses.
• Part III: Valencia, followed by a brief return to Madrid for Andrés’s thesis defense and then two months in a town near Burgos.
• Part IV: Madrid.
• Part V: Alcolea (La Mancha) and a three-day stopover in Aranjuez.
• Parts VI and VII: Madrid.

Critical Analysis

Social and Political Commentary

The Tree of Knowledge reflects the social and political anxieties of its time, particularly the ideologies of the Generation of ’98, to which Baroja belonged. The novel critiques various aspects of Spanish society and culture, including:

• Low Cultural Level: Baroja criticizes the perceived intellectual poverty of Spain, as evidenced by the grotesque behavior of students, the lack of seriousness and rigor among teachers, and the government’s limited interest in investing in science. For example, Ibarra is forced to go to Belgium to patent his inventions because Spain lacks the infrastructure and support for innovation. Similarly, medical students have no access to physiology laboratories for practical training.
• Human Cruelty: The novel is filled with instances of cruelty and indifference to suffering. Andrés observes this in the callous behavior of medical students dissecting corpses, the exploitation of women by Doña Virginia, the mistreatment of patients by doctors at the San Juan de Dios Hospital, the machismo of Pepinito towards Dorothea, and the public’s enjoyment of bullfighting, which Andrés views as a cowardly spectacle that celebrates violence and suffering.
• Vulgarity and Spiritual Poverty: Baroja criticizes the prevalence of vulgarity and spiritual emptiness in Spanish society, which he sees as obstacles to living a decent life. This is evident in the characters of Doña Venancia, Manolo”the Chafandín” Mrs. Virginia, and the so-called friends of Villasuso who mock his misfortune.
• Individualism: The novel highlights the individualistic nature of Spanish society, which Baroja believes hinders progress and fosters jealousy and a lack of solidarity. This is apparent in the destructive gossip and competition among the people of Alcolea, as well as the rivalry between doctors.
• Sexual Repression: Baroja criticizes the sexual repression of the time, which he believes leads to unhealthy attitudes towards sex and the proliferation of pornography. He contrasts this with the more open and natural approach to sexuality in other countries, such as England.
• False Patriotism: The novel critiques the superficial patriotism displayed by many Spaniards during the war with Cuba and the Philippines. Baroja highlights the hypocrisy of their initial enthusiasm, which quickly turns into indifference and apathy when Spain faces defeat.
• Bohemianism and Romantic Idealism: Baroja criticizes the sterility of bohemianism and romantic idealism, which he views as self-centered and impractical. He sees these attitudes as a form of escapism that prevents individuals from engaging with the realities of life. Villasuso, with his miserable existence and inability to provide for his children, serves as a prime example of the pitfalls of this lifestyle.
• Resignation of the Poor: Baroja criticizes the poor for their passive acceptance of exploitation, arguing that their ignorance and lack of ambition perpetuate their own suffering. He questions the glorification of fertility and large families among the lower classes, suggesting that it is quality of life, not quantity, that matters. Andrés believes that perpetuating suffering through procreation is a crime.
• Racism and Anti-Semitism: The novel contains elements of racism and anti-Semitism, reflecting the prejudices of the time. Baroja, through the character of Iturrioz, divides humanity into two types: the”Iberian typ” (strong, warlike) and the”Semitic typ” (cunning, materialistic, parasitic). Andrés applies these categories throughout the novel to explain the behavior of various characters. He sees Aracil as a typical”Semit” and Montaner as a blend of the”Iberia” and”Semiti” types. Baroja extends this racial dichotomy to religion, criticizing Judeo-Christian values for glorifying weakness and suffering. He sees science and rationalism as forces that will eventually overcome the”Semiti” influence on European culture.

Nietzschean Influence

The novel’s critique of Spanish society is heavily influenced by the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, particularly his concept of the”will to powe” and his critique of slave morality. Baroja, through Andrés, expresses contempt for those who lack the will to assert themselves and shape their own destiny. He criticizes the rich for their complacency, the poor for their resignation, and the idealists and poets for their impracticality and inaction. Andrés admires those who embrace life’s challenges and refuse to be defined by social conventions or traditional morality.

Existentialism and the Search for Meaning

At its core, The Tree of Knowledge is a philosophical novel that explores existential themes of alienation, the search for meaning, and the inevitability of suffering. Andrés’s journey is a testament to the disillusionment and despair that can arise from confronting the absurdity of existence. He seeks answers in religion, science, philosophy, and love, but none of these provide him with lasting happiness or peace. The closest he comes to finding solace is in the temporary state of ataraxia he achieves at various points in his life. However, these moments of tranquility are fleeting, and he ultimately succumbs to the weight of his own consciousness.

• Religion: Andrés rejects religion as a source of meaning, viewing it as a dangerous illusion that offers false hope and justifies arbitrary beliefs. He echoes Kant’s view that religious tenets are ultimately unprovable.
• Science: While Andrés is drawn to science and its pursuit of knowledge, he also recognizes its limitations in providing ultimate answers to life’s big questions. He observes that science often exacerbates human suffering by revealing the harsh realities of existence. Darwin’s theory of evolution, with its emphasis on the struggle for survival and the survival of the fittest, only deepens his pessimism, as he sees himself as ill-equipped for the brutal competition of life.
• Philosophy: Andrés finds some solace in philosophy, but it ultimately fails to provide him with the answers he seeks. He recognizes that philosophy can offer rational explanations for the world but cannot fully capture the complexity and absurdity of human experience.
• Love: Andrés’s experiences with love are cold, passionless, and ultimately unfulfilling. He views love as a biological imperative disguised as a romantic ideal. His analytical mind prevents him from experiencing the emotional depths of love, and he ultimately rejects it as a source of meaning.

The Generation of ’98

The Tree of Knowledge is considered a quintessential novel of the Generation of ’98, a literary movement that emerged in Spain following the country’s defeat in the Spanish-American War. The novel embodies the key themes of this movement, including:

• Concern for Spain: Like many writers of his generation, Baroja was deeply concerned about the state of Spain. He believed that the country was in decline and in need of radical change. The novel’s critique of Spanish society, culture, and institutions reflects this concern. Andrés’s disillusionment and despair can be seen as a metaphor for the collective angst of a generation that had lost faith in its country’s future.
• Interest in the Inner Life: The Generation of ’98 was also characterized by an interest in exploring the inner lives of individuals. Baroja’s focus on Andrés’s psychological development and his existential struggles exemplifies this tendency. The novel delves into the complexities of human consciousness, exploring themes of alienation, doubt, and the search for meaning in a world devoid of absolutes.
• Existentialism and the Man of Action: The novel grapples with the dichotomy between the contemplative life and the life of action, a theme that preoccupied many existentialist thinkers. Andrés embodies this conflict, torn between his desire to understand the world and his need to act within it. He initially embraces a Nietzschean ideal of the”man of action” but his experiences gradually lead him to a more passive and resigned outlook. In the end, he is destroyed by his own inability to reconcile these opposing forces within himself.

Conclusion

The Tree of Knowledge is a complex and multifaceted novel that offers a bleak but insightful portrait of Spanish society and the human condition at the turn of the 20th century. Through the journey of Andrés Hurtado, Baroja explores themes of existentialism, social injustice, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems devoid of purpose. The novel’s enduring power lies in its unflinching examination of the human psyche and its ability to resonate with readers who have grappled with similar questions of identity, purpose, and the nature of existence itself.