Asap ! main idea- definition: how do you go about finding the main idea of a story?

What is the meaning of the word checking as it is used in this sentence from the second paragraph of the passage?

2read this passage from "the raven." what is puzzling the speaker in this stanza? 60% but the raven still beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, straight i wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door then, upon the velvet sinking, i betook myself to linking fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore- what this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore meant in croaking "nevermore." s and what the raven's message is why the raven came to visit where the raven came from how the raven got into his room

How does the author view the idea that you have to be perfect in order to get into college