One of Boas's key contributions to anthropology is the idea of cultural relativism, to see each culture on its own merits. Do you see any evidence of this perspective in the selection? What do you think may have inspired that perspective?
Fieldwork is often very personal, even if conducted in a context entirely foreign to one's experience. How do you think Boas's personal life influenced his ideas and his work as an anthropologist?
Boas is well-known for his four-field approach to anthropology. How do you think his background influenced that approach?
How do you think it might impact how he conducted fieldwork?