Final answer:
Elizabeth Van Lew was a pivotal spymaster for the Union during the Civil War, heading a network of spies and safe houses within the Confederate capital, signifying her exceptional role beyond societal norms of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central idea of the passage about Elizabeth Van Lew is that she was a significant figure in the Union's intelligence gathering efforts during the American Civil War. She managed a complex network of spies and safe houses within the Confederate capital and went beyond the role of an informant to become a spymaster, ultimately playing a crucial part in supporting the Union's cause. This was at a time when women's roles in society were limited, yet she challenged these norms by contributing strategically to the war effort with her resourcefulness and patriotism.