After identifying unfamiliar words and paraphrasing text, what is the final step to finding the overall central idea of a sonnet? a) consulting a dictionary b) looking for context clues c) linking the big ideas in each stanza d) putting the sonnet into everyday speech

After identifying unfamiliar words and paraphrasing text, the final step of finding the overall central idea of a sonnet is B) looking for context clues. If you made a research regarding unknown old-fashioned words and got more modern interpretation of the sonnet, and still do not get the main idea of the sonnet it is better to analyze it and to find context clues. It does not matter whether it is Italian or English sonnets, they always contain clues that are usually hidden in the last lines.

i believe it is the first choice (1.)

because the major theme is(“both the wild and civilization have rules.”)

and also as u said,( based on what buck learns within the call of the wild, "both the wild and civilization have rules".this is true of humans within society as well.