Meanings of passages can be explicitly stated as in “This passage is about…” However, if the meaning of a passage is not explicitly stated, it will be inferred in much the way words have a denotation and a connotation where a denotation is the explicit meaning of the word, and the connotation is the implied/inferred meaning because of the ideas invoked. Thus, readers of passages with no explicitly communicated meaning will deduce/conclude meaning based upon implied meanings and evidence presented.
An inferred meaning is one that is not explicitly stated by the author, but that is hinted at throughout a passage. This is usually done through the use of various rhetorical and literary devices, such as characterization, symbols, motifs, setting and mood.
