Final answer:
The central idea of 'Guts' by Gary Paulson is the protagonist's struggle for survival in the wilderness, as it focuses on survival challenges and the importance of skills and mental toughness in the face of nature's unpredictability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central idea of 'Guts' by Gary Paulson can be identified as D) The text delves into the harsh realities of survival, illustrating the protagonist's struggle for survival in the wilderness. Gary Paulson's text is a memoir that centers on the themes of survival and the stark challenges one faces while in the wilderness. The protagonist, often a reflection of Paulson himself, shows the inherent human struggle against nature's unpredictability and the necessity for practical skills and mental fortitude.
The narrative does not primarily focus on the complexities of human relationships, perseverance towards self-discovery, or overcoming fear through courage that we might see in other works. Thus, option D) accurately captures the essence of 'Guts' by Gary Paulson, where the struggle for survival against environmental extremes takes center stage, and the lessons learned are of practical and immediate use rather than the more emotional or psychological growth present in other options.