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Essay The Talented P.T. Barnum

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Because P.T. Barnum catered to the public’s desire to be entertained, he paved the way for entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry. While P.T Barnum may be a name that at first may seem unfamiliar, one realizes that we are exposed to Barnum’s legacy every day. Which American has never heard of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, or never eaten Barnum animal crackers? Or which American hasn’t seen Toddlers and Tiaras, of which the concept of beauty and baby pageants was invented by P.T. Barnum himself. The name P.T. Barnum is synonymous with the curious. The New York Sun declared that if it is bold, it is Barnum. If it is big, it is Barnum. As a showman he stands alone. (Fleming, Fenwick) P.T. Barnum is an iconoclast in his …show more content…

(Kunhardt 4) His maternal grandfather and namesake, Phineas Taylor, was P.T.’s main influence. “Uncle Fin”, as he was called by everyone, was a vibrant and boisterous man, telling colorful stories and always hoaxing others. While still a child, Uncle Fin had given P.T. a piece of land called Ivy Island, and was told that it was a profitable piece of land, one of the most valuable farms in the state. (Kunhardt 8) When he was finally able to see Ivy Island for himself, he found that there were no “mines of silver and gold” but instead only an excess of snakes and poison ivy existed on the swampy land. P.T. realized that he had been the laughing stock of the family for years. This event was meant to strip him of his boyhood dreams and turn him into a hard-boiled Yankee, but instead it not only hardened him to life, but also seemed to compel him to hoax others as well. (Kunhardt 9) In P.T. Barnum, all the good traits of his family came to fruition. Like old Phineas Taylor, he also knew how to convince skeptics and make them believe whatever he said. He would soon be putting this skill to very good use. (Streissguth 21) Barnum had energy, shrewd business sense, and a talent for promotion. He knew what would interest the public. (Streissguth 41) All he needed was an opportunity to show the world his skills. Barnum did

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