Struggles and Triumphs · Chapter
XX: Incidents of the Tour explained
Barnum recounts various incidents during Jenny Lind's tour, including initial hostility in Havana that turned into triumph, a humorous anecdote about a boy's love of music versus a big hog, a shaving encounter with a superstitious mulatto b
What happens
Barnum recounts various incidents during Jenny Lind's tour, including initial hostility in Havana that turned into triumph, a humorous anecdote about a boy's love of music versus a big hog, a shaving encounter with a superstitious mulatto barber, and a trick involving a missing bag of money.
Themes in this chapter
Showmanship and Humbug
Barnum uses legerdemain tricks and a fabricated story about a pact with the devil to amuse and mystify passengers.
Public Perception and Reputation
The Havana audience's initial hissing and eventual ovation illustrate the battle for public approval.
Resilience in Adversity
Jenny Lind's composure and triumph over a hostile reception in Havana demonstrate resilience.
Characters to notice
- P. T. Barnum
Narrates the chapter, arranges travel, performs legerdemain tricks, and orchestrates a prank on the barber.
- Jenny Lind
Volunteers to sing on the steamer and overcomes a hostile reception in Havana with her performance.
- Signor Belletti
Leads Jenny Lind onto the stage at the Havana concert.
- Henry Bennett
Mentioned in the chapter title as having partial insanity, though not detailed in the excerpts.
Key passages
“I liked the music better than I expected, but my son was in raptures. He was so perfectly enchanted that he scarcely spoke the whole evening... When the concert was finished we came out of the theater... One of the signs attracted him, and he said, 'Father, let us go in and see the big hog!'”
A father tells Barnum that his son, who was deeply moved by the concert, immediately wanted to see a sideshow hog afterward.
Illustrates the contrast between high art and popular amusement.
“Is it true that you have sold yourself to the devil, so that you can do what you’ve a mind to?”
The mulatto barber asks Barnum if he has made a pact with the devil to perform magic tricks.
Shows Barnum's reputation for showmanship and the superstition of the time.
“The triumph was most complete. And how was Jenny Lind affected? She who stood a few moments previous like adamant, now trembled like a reed in the wind before the storm of enthusiasm which her own simple notes had produced.”
After winning over the hostile Havana audience, Jenny Lind was visibly moved by the overwhelming applause.
Highlights the emotional impact of her performance and public acceptance.