De victorias o derrotas: El metro, de Donato Ndongo-Bidyogo

Abstract

El metro (2007), the most recent novel by the Equatoguinean author Donato Ndongo, ends with the failure of the immigrant experience for its African protagonist. I argue that the blurring of gender difference and a relationship with the world based on male competition leads to this ending of the novel in a fundamental manner. This text reflects an identity conflict in an African male individual, Lambert Obama Ondo, who relates to white men in terms of victory or defeat. Both black and white women have a subsidiary role. In this scenario, there is no possibility of conquest for Lambert, since he comes from a poor country and cannot count on a corrupt government to confront neocolonial exploitation. Finally, as an illegal Black African immigrant in Spain who has to endure racism and social vulnerability, he will not have a chance for a sound victory over white men. He will end being a victim, but at least a heroic one.