Final answer:
Themes in a poem are distinguished by analyzing literary devices, imagery, and tone, as well as poem structure and symbolism. Elements like vacant houses or the earth's waters in poetry can symbolize broader themes such as decay, loss, or nature's grandeur.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question specifically asks about the themes highlighted in lines 11-12 of a poem. When examining themes within a poem, it is fundamental to consider the use of literary devices, such as imagery and tone, as well as the structure of the poem, including line indentation and rhyme schemes. To identify themes, one must also analyze the poem’s symbolism and the impressions these symbols create. For example, empty windows might symbolize abandonment or decay, contributing to a theme of decline or loss. Furthermore, rhythmic patterns can enhance the emotional resonance of a poem, shaping how themes are experienced. Line indentation can emphasize rhymes or refrains, controlling the mood and reinforcing themes. Some common themes in poetry include life and death, human experience, and nature's grandeur, all of which might be reflected in elements such as a vacant house, a reveler's dream-like state, or the vastness of the earth’s waters as seen in the poem "The Eye" by Robinson Jeffers.