Pío Baroja's The Tree of Science: Context and Analysis

Pío Baroja and The Tree of Science (El Árbol de la Ciencia)

The Novel's Structure and Background

This fragment belongs to the novel The Tree of Science (El Árbol de la Ciencia) by Pío Baroja, a Spanish novelist belonging to the Generation of '98. Born in San Sebastián in 1872, Baroja studied medicine in Madrid, where he lived most of his life.

Although published in 1911, the action takes place between 1887 and 1898. It is a quasi-autobiographical work divided into two symmetrical parts (I–III and V–VII), separated by a long philosophical conversation between the protagonist, Andrés, and his uncle, Dr. Iturrioz (IV). Specifically, we can place the chosen piece in the following context:

Literary, Social, and Cultural Context of the Generation of '98

Setting the Scene: Spain 1887–1911

The book was written in 1911 but is set during the years Baroja was a student and the few years he worked as a doctor.

The defining event for the Generation of '98 was the loss of the Spanish colonies in Cuba. Political issues stemming from this crisis are discussed throughout the novel, particularly between Andrés and Iturrioz.

Social and Economic Stagnation

This period was characterized by national stagnation in technological and scientific development. There were stark differences between the poverty of some regions and the wealth of others, highlighting the severe social inequality between the poorer classes, the bourgeoisie, and the aristocracy.

Social conditions included:

• Little freedom of expression and widespread censorship.
• The majority of the population was uneducated and illiterate, leading them to be guided primarily by established customs.

Madrid's Urban Reality

While the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries saw great scientific discoveries globally, in Madrid, the delayed Industrial Revolution caused an explosion in birth rates. Even with small industries, Madrid lacked the resources to support new immigrants.

Baroja vividly depicts the city's underworld, including:

• Ragamuffins and beggars
• Gangsters, murderers, and criminals

Political Climate and Artistic Revolution

The Spanish Monarchy Restoration

The publication of The Tree of Science coincides with the Restoration of the Spanish Monarchy, a political period focused on reaffirming the monarchy following failed attempts by various factions to establish a republic.

Artistic Movements of the Early 20th Century

The early 20th century was a time of artistic revolution, questioning the concept of beauty and the definition of a work of art (e.g., concept art). Key Spanish painters of this era include:

• Pablo Picasso
• Salvador Dalí
• Joan Miró