To identify a theme in a story, it would be most helpful to describe all the characters in the story.
summarize the major events in the story.
synthesize details that point to a larger message.
reread the entire story several times.

the answer would be c, synthesize details that point to a larger message.

Explanation:

This is because the theme of a story is about the larger message the author is trying to tell you.

it's d, robert k merton. in 1994 he was awarded the national medal of science for his contributions to the field and for having founded the sociology of science.