Read carefully for detail. To identify the theme, you must do more than read for entertainment or story. Read actively, highlighting the text when you find elements that seem important to the plot, and make notes on any aspects that are confusing or unclear.
Identify the primary conflicts in the story. The theme can often be found when you focus on where the conflict lies. Which primary characters are at odds? Why? What opposing views or emotional states dominate the story? In most stories, there is at least one (if not more) clear point of conflict. Identify this point to figure out what themes the author is exploring.
Keep notes on any repeating images, characters or conflicts. A repeated idea can point to a theme.
Review some basic universal themes that often show up in stories. Common themes include man vs. nature, man vs. man, man vs. society, family, death, aging and human development. These are a just a few examples of the many common themes that writers have used throughout literary history, but they can give you a place to start when trying to identify themes.