Final answer:
The narrator concludes that Santiago's death signifies a deeper societal malaise, reflecting a fatalistic outlook where individual effort is trivial in the face of larger, uncaring forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The narrator reveals a perspective that views Santiago's death as more than just a personal loss, but as a symptom of a larger, systemic issue. In the text provided, Santiago's departure from the academy and eventual fate seem to represent a struggle against not just personal failure or misfortune but perhaps against impersonal forces that disregard individual efforts and aspirations. There is an underlying tone of resignation to the inevitability of death and tragedy, suggesting a broader commentary on the value of life within such a harsh societal context. The various excerpts together manifest a certain fatalism and melancholy, offering a picture of life as filled with struggle, wherein Santiago's death may symbolize a loss of hope or potential.