Focusing on the Text:
* What are the main ideas or concepts presented in the passage? Look for repeated words, phrases, or ideas.
* What are the most important events or actions in the passage? How do these events contribute to the overall meaning?
* What are the relationships between the characters or ideas in the passage? Are there any conflicts, alliances, or tensions?
* What is the tone or mood of the passage? How do the author's word choices, sentence structure, and imagery contribute to the overall feel?
* Are there any symbols, metaphors, or other literary devices used in the passage? What do these devices suggest about the theme?
Expanding Beyond the Text:
* What are the author's underlying messages or intentions? What might the author be trying to convey to the reader?
* How does the passage relate to the larger work or context in which it appears? Does the passage connect to other themes or ideas within the work?
* What are the potential implications or applications of the passage? How might the passage be relevant to the reader's own life or experiences?
* How does the passage resonate with you personally? What are your own feelings and interpretations of the passage?
Important Note: Theme is often a complex and multi-faceted concept. There may not always be one clear and definitive theme, and different readers might interpret the same passage in different ways. The goal of close reading is to carefully analyze the text and develop your own informed understanding of the theme(s) presented.