When you want to find the main idea in a poem or story the interpretation of symbols may confuse you and you wont find the main idea. That's why you can summerize it because it will help you to understand the story in a better way. Then, paying attention to details of the story or the poem is another clue to understand the main idea and finally, there are some context clues that will guide you to find what the story or poem is about. All these are tools that will help you find the main idea in a poem or story.
