Middlesex+(Entry+5)

Craniometry - Craniology is the measurement of cranial features in order to classify people by race, criminal temerament, and intelligence. Many people assume that the skull size and shape determine brain size which ultimately determines intelligence. In the 19th century, the British used this idea of craniometry to justify their vicious acts of racism against the Irish and blacks. In the 20th century, the Nazis used craniometry to decipher Aryans from non-Aryans. Along with the Nazis, the Belgians used craniometry to determine whether someone was Hutu or Tutsi. []
 * Beginning of Book 2**
 * Definitions, Identity Question, Significance of the Chapter**
 * Definitions**

Charlatan - A charlatan is a person practicing a certain trick to obtain money and fame. A charlatan is usually a salesperson. In //Middlesex//, Fard is a charlatan because he tries to push his irrational theories onto everyone else. His overall goal is to get money. Synonyms for charlatans include mountebank, shyster, and quack. The word charlatan comes from the French word charlatan which refers to a seller of medicine who might advertise his presence with music and an outdoor stage show. Famous charlatans include John R. Brinkley, Albert Abrams, and Bernard Madoff. []

What makes you, you? What creates your identity? Your race? Gender? Nationality? Job? Friends? Your actions? Words? Favorite Music? Other people? Have you ever changed reinvented yourself in real ways or does it result in trivial, Madonna-esque transformations? When do you think it is easiest to try to "reinvent yourself"? Who is hardest to convince?
 * Question**

I believe that my personality makes me who I am. Yes, my looks play a big role in people determining who I am, but I think my way of life plays a role in it as well. I consider myself to be a person that lives with a typically low stress level. I consider myself to be a person that loves life and just goes along with the flow. I think that what creates my race is what people view me as. Most people view different races based on appearances. For my gender, people view gender through appearances as well. Girls tend to wear dresses, skirts, shorter shorts, high heels, low cut shirts. Guys, however, go for the pants, longer shorts, loose t-shirts. However, people determine gender in a way that they shouldn't. You should not be able to tell someone's gender by the type of clothes they wear or the length of their hair. People see people as friends when they are spotted talking to one another on multiple occassions. Most likely, they hang out together and they have pictures together. I have reinvented myself in both real ways and trivial ways. When I was younger, I used to always want to be like the people I saw on tv. When I saw people on tv with glasses, I all of the sudden wanted glasses. Everyone in my family had glasses, I was just the odd one out. The next time I went to the doctors, I pretended I was not able to read some of the letters that were clear to my eyes; however, it did not work. I squinted and stuttered as much as possible. However, I left the office with 20/20 vision. I questioned how that was possible. I think it is easiest to "reinvent yourself" when you yourself want the change. You believe that the change will make you a better person. I think the hardest person to convince of the change is yourself.


 * 2. Significance of the Chapter**

I believe that the chapter "Tricknology" shows that people are able to convince others and sometimes even themselves of things that are not true, like they are living lies for no reason except to think that they are better people.