Is there a specific "routine" to go through while reading a story to figure out it's theme?

I always tell my students that when they have to read a
novel or story for a literature class, always have a pack of sticky notes on hand. Every
time you come to something you think is profound, mark it with a sticky note because it
may have something to do with the theme. Every time you tend to see
objects or dialogue or events that seem to occur over and over again, mark those -- they
are probably motifs, symbols and/or theme markers. For example, if you are
reading Moby Dick and you keep seeing the color white appear over
and over, ask yourself what the author might be trying to say. White usually means
purity, but not in this novel. Also notice the characters - how are
they described? Mark significant comments about them or significant things they say with
a sticky note. Make sure you write on the sticky note why you
marked a particular section, though, because when you get done, you don't want just a
bunch of sticky notes with nothing on them -- you won't remember why you put the note
there.

Don't worry so much about figuring out the theme
while you are reading because it may not come together for you until the end -- but do
be aware of things to mark.

Another good thing about sticky
notes is that teachers usually give writing assignments on novels or short stories and
they almost always ask the usual things about character development, writing style,
dialogue, plot, setting, etc. So if you mark these things as you go along, it is MUCH
easier to find them when you get done with the reading.

I
am sure some other teachers will have other methods - you should use the one that you
think will work best for you! Good luck.