A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of Virginia Hall, WWII’s Most Dangerous Spy

In her high school yearbook, Virginia proclaimed, “I must have liberty” (8). At the time, there was every indication that she was speaking of personal freedom. Once fascism began to creep across Europe, it became clear that Virginia’s commitment to liberty extended to political freedom, and that she viewed the war as a struggle between good and evil. She vowed to find her way into the war effort by any means necessary, which took her from driving the ambulance to the most dangerous heights of espionage.

Purnell repeatedly contrasts Virginia’s devotion to the war effort with the behavior of other agents; where other agents gave in to loneliness, fear, sexual appetites, recklessness, and alcohol, Virginia was almost austere in her commitment to the cause. More than once, Virginia herself stated that her actions were a result of her love of France and of freedom, but it isn’t entirely clear what grounded these principles. Religion does not appear as a part of Virginia’s life. However, Purnell does leave open the possibility that Virginia’s tenacity and courage flowed from a kind of “faith”—in her fellow agents, in the possibility of a better future, and in the value of human life.

Narratively, Virginia’s vision of her father crystallizes this sense of higher purpose.