Struggles and Triumphs · Chapter
The Jenny Lind Enterprise explained
Barnum details his bold plan to bring the Swedish soprano Jenny Lind to America, including his initial conception in October 1849, the hiring of agent John Hall Wilton, the complex contract with Lind, Benedict, and Belletti, his struggles t
What happens
Barnum details his bold plan to bring the Swedish soprano Jenny Lind to America, including his initial conception in October 1849, the hiring of agent John Hall Wilton, the complex contract with Lind, Benedict, and Belletti, his struggles to raise the necessary funds, and his public announcement of the engagement.
Themes in this chapter
Showmanship and Humbug
Barnum's bold and risky enterprise to bring Jenny Lind to America exemplifies his grand showmanship and willingness to take enormous risks for public spectacle.
Financial Wisdom and Economy
Barnum details his careful calculations, fundraising efforts, and the financial structure of the contract, highlighting his financial acumen despite initial difficulties in securing loans.
Public Perception and Reputation
Barnum's public letter and the portrait incident show his acute awareness of managing public perception and building anticipation for Lind's arrival.
Characters to notice
- P. T. Barnum
The author and impresario who conceived and executed the Jenny Lind enterprise.
- Jenny Lind
The 'Swedish Nightingale' whom Barnum engaged for a series of concerts in America.
- Mr. John Hall Wilton
Barnum's agent sent to Europe to negotiate the contract with Jenny Lind.
- Mr. Julius Benedict
Musical director, pianist, and superintendent of the musical department for the Lind tour.
- Signor Belletti
Baritone vocalist engaged to accompany Jenny Lind during her tour.
Key passages
“Many of my most fortunate enterprises have fairly startled me by the magnitude of their success. When my sanguine hopes predicted a steady flow of fortune, I have been inundated; when I calculated upon making a curious public pay me liberally for a meritorious article, I have often found the same public eager to deluge me with compensation.”
Barnum reflects that his most successful ventures often exceeded his own optimistic expectations, with the public rewarding him far more generously than he had anticipated.
Barnum's opening reflection on the surprising scale of his successes.
“I never believed in mere luck and I always pitied the simpleton who relies on luck for his success. Luck is in no sense the foundation of my fortune; from the beginning of my career I planned and worked for my success.”
Barnum asserts that his achievements were the result of careful planning and hard work, not luck.
Barnum's philosophy of success through effort rather than chance.
“I found, upon further inquiry, that it was useless in Wall Street to offer the 'Nightingale' in exchange for Goldfinches.”
Barnum discovered that Wall Street financiers were not interested in his Jenny Lind contract as collateral for a loan.
Barnum's humorous description of his difficulty securing financing.