English
After reading the passage, answer these questions
using the drop-down menus.
What information develops the central idea?
Van Lew was never accused of spying.
It may seem surprising that no Confederate sympathizers
took action against Van Lew, given her strong and public
views on secession and slavery. Surely there were
suspicions, especially among her upper-crust neighbors,
but the matter never went beyond those suspicions.
Historians have suggested that the secessionists were
victims of their own cultural bias, believing that no
aristocratic person, and certainly not a lady, would ever
consider taking part in anything as impolite as spying. A
true lady managed her servants, prepared parties and
gatherings, and blindly supported her husband. Such
attitudes worked in Van Lew's favor, diverting suspicion
from her.
- The Dark Game,
Paul Janeczko
Van Lew was never accused of spying
Van Lew had strong views on secession.
Women were expected to host parties.