Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War

“The women of the Valley go to work supporting the war effort, gathering to sew clothing and raise money for supplies. At first Belle joined them, wielding her needle and laundering sheets, but she soon found such activities ‘too tame and monotonous.’”

This quote quickly introduces the reader to Belle’s character. The contrast between Belle and the other women from Martinsburg illustrates how she differed from the norm, foreshadowing her contribution to The Subversion of Gender Roles During Wartime.

“She told herself she would not hesitate to use the pistol; she had never hesitated at anything.”

The tense moment, as Belle braced for Union soldiers to arrive, gives the reader a look into her mindset. The young woman is characterized as impulsive and decisive. Though society would not traditionally have valued these characteristics in a woman, they were likely key to Belle’s profound success in her espionage.

“Elizabeth came to understand the importance of appearances, and the intricate subterfuge required to maintain them.”

This quotation illustrates Elizabeth’s perspective at the start of the war. Her background and beliefs have long made her an outsider, putting her at risk of losing her valuable status entirely. To maintain that status, she has painstakingly learned how to maintain a façade that society may consider acceptable.