Readers Digest Version:
Old Hurricane is called to the bed side of an old dying woman who recounts the events of some thirteen years ago. A dark night, bandits, and a mysterious delivery of two children. One dead, the other spirited away by the old woman, along with a gold ring.
Old Hurricane travels to New York to find the missing girl, Capitola, finds she has been dressing like a boy. After a trial he takes her home to be his ward. We meet Herbert Greyson, a sailor friend of Caps and he tells of his dear mothers death and the kind widow and her son who have been like family to him. Old Hurricane vows to take care of these two.
We hear of the struggles of Travers and his mother Marah Rocke, a good pair who try very hard and live off very little. Herbert arrives with the wonderful news of Old Hurricanes vow of help, unaware that he never mentioned Marah's name to the old man, and the family is ecstatic with joy.

Back with Cap, we hear about the trap door and the Indians. Then Herbert arrives with the news that Mrs. Rocke and her son are so very grateful...upon hearing the name Mr. Warfield goes into one of his usual fits of temper and finally tells Herbert the story of betrayal that link him and Mrs. Rocke together.
Following this Marah Rocke, happy in thinking that Mr. Warfield has forgiven her and is giving her a second chance... receives a letter from Herbert saying that the Major has withdrawn his offer of help. This crushes the woman who then has a chance to recount her versions of events to Herbert.
Sad and depressed Mrs. Rocke starts to waste away, Travers calls on the assistance of Dr. Day, who as a remedy for her illness offers Travers a job.
Back in Hurricane Hall, Capitola is simply Withering away for lack of excitement. After hearing stories of Black Donald she declares that she would like to capture him...and then sneaks off for a short ride alone. But getting carried away she rides further than she intends and her horse tires so that when a stranger tries to catch her she is helpless to escape.
The stranger says he is Black Donald, but Cap does not believe him, but she does believe his motives are not good. So using a cleaver scheme she manages to stall him long enough in conversation that her horse recovers and then makes a speedy get away.
She returns home late to be met with a FURIOUS old Hurricane and after a long tongue lashing she gives him the silent treatment. The very next day he is late upon returning and she, in turn gives him a nice verbal lashing... at which point they make up.
Travers, mean while, has started working for Dr. Day, and meets his lovely daughter Carla. Who, along with her father, decide that Travers and his mother should come live with them. His mother to be their house keeper and Carla's companion, and Travers to be near by for Dr.Day to properly teach him.

Deep in the woods there is a Hidden House, where the bandits and Black Donald meet to discuss their plans... or get totally drunk... usually the latter. Black Donald tells of his adventure in handcuffing the sheriff. Then the figure of Gabriel Le Noir enters. He enlists Black Donald's help in disposing of Capitola, who we find to be not Capitola Black, but Capitola Le Noir. The only daughter of Gabriel's older brother and the heiress of the Le Noir fortune which Gabriel has claimed for himself and does not wish to lose.

Old Hurricane leaves for a bit and a traveler shows up at the Hall with goods for sale. It is soon revealed that he is in fact Black Donald, and Cap nearly captures him but is thrown to the ground at the last minute. Upon returning to his gang of men Black Donald declares that he is in love with the brash Capitola and intends to make her his wife by any means necessary, and tells Le Noir that he will kill her after their wedding night.

Back with Travers and his mother, Marah Rocke rapidly improves in health and Travers begins to grow fond of Carla Day. Mrs. Rocke sees this as a problem and tells her son to be careful of the growing affection lest he be hurt by it in the future. Since Carla Day in well above his station. Only to find that the lovely girl already returns her son's affection.

Summary
Old Hurricane was aroused from his quiet slumber at night in the middle of a storm by the minister to go and listen to a dyeing women’s confession. Nancy Grewall told Old Hurricane that about 13 years ago she was kidnapped and taken to a house to help deliver twines. One twine, the boy, was died. The other was a girl and she lived. The mother of the twins told Nancy to save the girl and to give the died boy to the men waiting outside the door. Nancy concealed the baby in her shawl, and the mother that gave birth to the child gave Nancy a ring that said “Capitola Eugene”. Nancy and the concealed baby were sold and transported on a ship, but there was a storm and the ship was sinking. All of the ship’s crew jumped onto a little spare boat except for Nancy, the baby, a lad by the name of Herbert Greyson, and the cook. The little boat capsized and sank, but the people on the ship survived. Nancy called the baby Capitola because of the ring, and together Nancy, Capitola, and Herbert relocated to New York after they were rescued by another ship. There Nancy and Capitola lived for ten years and Herbert visited them when he came back from sea voyages. Herbert gave Nancy five dollars and along with what she saved was enough to get her back to her home land, so that she could expose Black Donald’s wickedness (she believed it was all of Black Donald’s doing). Old Hurricane asked Nancy if there was a birth mark on Capitola so that he could identify her. Nancy said that there was a little scarlet hand on her palm, and the Herbert tattooed Capitola’s birth date on her arm.

The next day Old Hurricane went to New York in search of Capitola. He found her in the court room being prosecuted for being a girl and boys clothing. He accepted guardianship and took her in. When they were eating at a restaurant together, Herbert Greyson walked in and Capitola introduced Herbert to Old Hurricane. Old Hurricane knew that Herbert was his nephew and invited Herbert to stay with him at Hurricane Hall. Herbert thanked him and said he would come visit after he visited his friends. Then Herbert went on to talk about how smart Travers is and how he has no father and Travers’s widowed mother has taken good care of both Herbert and Traverse. Old Hurricane promised to pay for Travers’s education and to give the widowed mother a better life. Unfortunately Herbert forgot to tell Old Hurricane the widow’s name. When Herbert told the widowed mother the good news she became ecstatic with joy. But when Herbert visited Old Hurricane, Old Hurricane asked the widows name and Herbert said Marah Rocke , Old Hurricane got angry and un-promised everything he had formerly promised.

Then he told Herbert his side of the story. Old Hurricane fell in love with the Marie when she was about 16 years old and he was about 45. They got married and lived in a little cabin. They were planning to announce their marriage when they went to live in Old Hurricanes mansion in Hurricane Hall. Unfortunately that never happened; a man by the name of Gabriel le Noir came into Marah Rockes cabin and was undressing when Old Hurricane barged in. And since that night Old Hurricane could not and will not forgiven Marie, and therefore everything he promised before he un-promised. Herbert wrote Marah a letter saying so, and she was devastated. Herbert than visited Marah and told her all that Old Hurricane told him. Then Marah told Herbert her story. After that Herbert left to the Army.

Traverse worried about his mother and so he called his doctor friend Dr. Day. The doctor came and observed Marie and gave Travers a solution to the problem. He suggested that Traverse becomes his student and Doctor’s assistant, and Marie becomes the Doctor House Keeper. Thus, Marie and Traverse lived with the Doctor and Clara and prosperity for a little while.

Mean while Capitola got bored and rode out across the river into the forest, there she met a man with bad intensions. Using her witty brain, Capitola escaped him. And returned home very late, Old Hurricane was angry.

Gabriel Le Noir found out that Capitola is a live and is the rightful heir to the Le Noir fortune, so he hires Black Donald to kill her. The next day a traveler selling goods arrives at the mansion. So after exposes himself as Black Donald, Capitola jumps on his back, but he throws her off and escapes. And then vows to marry her.

Traverse fell in love with Clara, and his mother warned him that is may never be.

Capitola was getting bored at Hurricane Hall and started acting unlike a proper girl. Old Hurricane called upon the Minister to help him out and set Capitola strait. Upon her return to her bed room, Capitola discovered three outlaws under her bed. Using her witty brain again, she locked them in her room, and thus they were captured.

Travers received a Doctors diploma and returned home to Dr. Day, Clara, and his mother. Dr. Day and Travers planned Traverses future together. Travers was to establish himself and his professions in a different state and in a few years come back and marry Clara. Thus, Traverse and Clara were betrothed.

Back in Hurricane Hall the outlaws switched their hiding place from the Old Inn to a cave. Three weeks passed and the captured outlaws remained in prison with no rescue. Meanwhile the annual camp meeting season approached. At the camp meeting there was a new pastor Father Gray. Everyone was very fond of him, especially Mrs. Condiment. She invited him to share Old Hurricanes tent, bed, and food.

Unfortunately, Dr. Day was squished by his horse when he went out for a ride. Travers found him and brought him home. The Doctor told Travers that Laura’s guardian is Gabriel Le Noir. His last wishes were that Laura and Marah Rocke stay in the house that they currently lives in and that Traverse only marries Laura when she has reached the age of 21.

When Gabriel arrives he is very rude and ignores Traverse when Traverse needs to speak to him about the Doctors last wishes. Finally, after Marah and Clara set Gabriel striate, he sets up at time to speak with Travers the next day at 9:00 A.M... That is a summary of what we have read thus far up to page 241.

~Violetta~

Well the ones in the presentation, since I can't fit them all in two mins. Let me know if there is anything else I should add to it :)

Old Hurricane & Capitola: After hearing the story of a dying friend, Old Hurricane, a grumpy but sweet old man who lives in a place called Devils Run, was determined to find the little girl whom she raised, by the name of Capitola. Capitola was left by the woman who raised her, and she was forced to go to the extremes in order to survive. She dressed up like a boy in order to find work enough to live off of. Old Hurricane came across the Capitola and after seeing the struggle it was for her to survive since her mother figure left, Old Hurricane took her home to be his ward.

Herbert: Herbert was a friend of Capitola’s, and later discovered was Old Hurricane’s nephew. After the death of his father, Herbert and his mother lived with friends of theirs until Herbert’s mother died. He then left so he wouldn’t be a burden to his close friends.

Traverse & Marah Rocke: The close friends that Herbert and his mother lived with until the death of Herbert’s mom. Marah is also a widow and is always struggling to keep food on the table and to keep the house, but Traverse is the one who truly keeps things going since he works all day long.

Carla & Dr. Day: A doctor and his daughter who helped Traverse and his mom Marah by giving Traverse a job. After Old Hurricane changed his mind and denied help for the two, Marah went into a deep depression who was then helped by Carla and Dr. Day by offering to let Traverse and his mom move in with them.

Le Noir, His Son, & Black Donald: A group of bandits who are out to capture and kill Capitola in order to inherit the Le Noir fortune. Capitola thinks she is Capitola Black, but in reality is Capitola Le Noir, making her the heir of the Le Noir fortune.

While the themes of the Hidden Hand as a whole may not be as completely cut and dried as one might imagine, the main themes in the book thus far seem to be independence and loyalty. We see Capitola as the complete opposite of how a ‘proper’ girl of that time should be. She dressed like a boy, rides unaccompanied, tries to catch outlaws, and cusses. Through out the book, in any chapter we find Cap residing, we see a series of actions that would cause many a matron of the time to blush with embarrassment. Though today we might find her actions normal, or even commendable, the Hidden Hand, plays off the notion that a woman really might be independent despite what men may think proper.
This would be a radical new way of thinking back when this book was written, an independent woman then would be as unheard of as an un-independent woman now. E.D.E.N. Southworth was really making a statement about the scope of a Woman’s power, how they didn’t have to rely on men for every little thing. At least, that is what I got out of it.
The second Theme, Loyalty, encompasses many of the other aspects of the book. We find it in Herbert, with his resolve in all things to trust and protect his friends. He stands up for Mrs. Rocke, in the face of unfavorable accusations mounted against her, maintaining that she is “pure as an angel.”(89). We see unwavering loyalty in Travers in regards to his mother. At a time when most young men would be grown, married, and seeking their way in the world, Traverse stays ever loyal to his mother and remains by her side to help her in any way he can. Then, when Traverse is employed by Dr. Day, he remains loyal to the Dr’s wishes, and maintains his loyalty even after the doctor perishes. Marah Rocke also, we find, has remained loyal to her husband even after how horrid he was to her, even after he wouldn’t believe what she said, she still stays loyal and loving.
Southworth gives us these fine examples of humanity as an example. So often in literature we read characters who are morally biased, or unstable, or twisted… characters like Traverse and his mother give us a refreshing look at the other face of humanity. Perhaps their very creation is intended to give us hope for our fellow humans, if there can be someone that loyal, that good in a story… perhaps there can be someone like that in reality.

(this is pretty skimpy. let me know what else i can add to fatten it up.)
The Hidden Hand. Midterm.
Why You Should read the Hidden hand. (Interesting facts)
Without giving away the whole story and the plot points, The Hidden Hand is still an invigorating, captivating book. E.D.E.N Southworth was an outstanding literary artist, she published over 60 novels and hidden hand was the superior of the mix, and is proclaimed as her most successful novel. This Bookk was serialized three times before appearing in form of a book.
Southwards writing is different from other writers in her time. In retrospect this novel is easier for the modern day student to read. And although the book is “lengthy” is goes by like butter, sliding down plastic.
This book covers themes that can be drawn out and lived by in life today, or maybe just for me. If one admirers stubbornness and free will in young girls. Or people who tend to “stick it to the man.”
The Plot twists and history intertwined with the story line are captivating, and if you kind of like history, but not really because it’s delivered in such a dry sense, you will fall in love with this book because, we learn a little more about the times in a none snooze way.
If you read a lot of the classics you will be right in your element with this book. But if classics aren’t your cup of tea this book is excellent to transition you to an older literary taste.

Part of the excitement of reading The Hidden Hand is it constantly reaches new climaxes in the story. Southworth's main goal as an author was to entertain her audience, and in that aspiration, she included a pretty generous amount of foreshadow throughout the story. This helps keep you involved as a reader, as it gives you a clue as to what is coming in the plot as well as entice you to learn more about it. Due to Southworth's plentiful use of foreshadow and dramatic plot turns, it's hard to predict what will come far down the line with any certainty. But considering the current state of affairs in the book, I think Gabriel Le Noir will take control of Clara and her father's estate, at least temporarily, and Traverse will be determined and succeed in business, gathering up enough resources to gain back his betrothed's security. I also think Traverse and Old Hurricane will unite under the same cause, probably via Herbert Grayson, who will also join the effort. I am not sure really what role Capitola will play in the story; she is such an unpredictable character, it is hard to say what she will do next, but it is certain she will force her way into whatever situation arises with reckless heroism.

This is what I have so far. I can just guess random things if you think I need to add more volume, but I can make this fill two minutes in class come presentation time. Any input?

ok thats sounds good =] and i think that i messed up on some characters (marah and clara) sorry about that
~violetta~

ok thats sounds good =] and i think that i messed up on some characters (marah and clara) sorry about that
~violetta~

ok thats sounds good =] and i think that i messed up on some characters (marah and clara) sorry about that
~violetta~

How is this?

Conflicts

While this story contains many conflicts, both small and large, the two central conflicts in the Hidden Hand seem to belong to the situation going on in Hurricane Hall and the situation pertaining to Marah Rocke and her son Traverse.

In Hurricane Hall a conflict has arose between Old Hurricane and the young girl Capitola. While Old Hurricane seems to dearly care about the girl, he cannot control her. Capitola is used to the streets of New York in which there is something going on all the time and so boredom is never an issue. So, being a wild youngster who gets bored at the old hall she finds many ways to get herself into trouble. For example, she goes beyond boundaries around the old mansion in which she has been strictly forbidden to go. Another example is how she will often talk back to Old Hurricane. If he tells her she cannot go somewhere and she wants to go bad enough then she will find another way. She’s not afraid to tell him so either. This moves into another conflict between these two characters: Capitola is smart. She has learned how to get her way. She knows how to use the silent treatment, the “this is what you look like” treatment, and the worst of it all being the “I’ll call the cops on you” treatment. This last is by far the worst because it leads into yet another very important conflict. Old Hurricane was told of Capitola’s past by Nancy Grewell. Knowing this, and having a severe dislike and distrust of Gabriel Le Noir, Old Hurricane knows that Capitola could be in danger. What he doesn’t know, however, is just how imminent this danger is. Gabriel Le Noir has hired Donald Black to kill the unsuspecting girl. So, if Cap takes the old man to court then her protection will be diminished and she will be open to Donald Black. All in all, Capitola’s wild personality causes large issues.

In the realm of Marah and Traverse Rocke conflicts come and go. Perhaps the most pertinent conflict in their lives, though Traverse does not know it, is the one between Marah and Old Hurricane. When Marah was 16 and Old Hurricane 45 they fell in love and got married. However, due to a situation involving Gabriel Le Noir, Hurricane believed Marah to have cheated on him and left her- though they never got an official divorce. This has caused strife between the two ever since and 18 years in the future Old Hurricane still wants nothing to do with her. This event leads Marah and Traverse Rocke into poverty their main conflict in the beginning of the book. From there Marah is led to believe for a short time that Old Hurricane has forgiven her. Upon finding out that it was never true, Marah succumbs to an old yet more severe conflict of depression. Traverse, fearful for his mother’s health, goes to a trusted friend, Dr. Day, who in the long run asks them to live with his daughter and himself. Thus, Marah is rejuvenated and this conflict is no longer mentioned. However, then arises a new conflict involving Traverse, Marah, and Dr. Day’s daughter Clara. Traverse and Clara develop a strong friendship which develops into a love between a 14-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy. Marah sees a complication and not merely age but level of status. She is fearful that Traverse is wishing after something that he could never have. Upon mentioning it to her son, Traverse listens to his mother and creates a distance between Clara and himself. This distance is hard for both the young girl and boy. However, this conflict is later relieved a few years later when Dr. Day gives Traverse permission to marry his daughter. For a while all is well…then a NEW conflict comes about. Dr. Day is thrown from and landed upon by his horse one day. Upon his death bed he informs Traverse that Carla’s guardian is to be Gabriel Le Noir. Gabriel Le Noir coming to live with them creates a whole new conflict in the Day’s household. As you can see, in the lives of Marah and Traverse Rocke there are many ups and downs as conflicts come and go.

E.D.E.N. Southworth’s style adds energy and excitement to the story. She uses the right amount of description to captivate yet not bore the reader. In this passage she describes ‘Old Hurricane’, “His features were large and harsh; his complexion dark red, as that of one bronzed by long exposure and flushed with strong drink.” The descriptions build on one another to create a cohesive, real image in the mind of the reader. This adds to the overall impact and enjoyment of the story because the reader can picture the people and places in this story. Also she uses a lot of foreshadow in her writing. She does this by starting every chapter with quotes and also using sharp contrasts to imply a change in the future. A good example of this is in the beginning when Old hurricane is glad that he doesn’t have to worry about going out into the storm and then sure enough he has to go out into the storm. Also he is glad that he doesn’t have to go take care of someone and then he has to go and find Capitola. Southworth originally published this in 2-3 chapter segments in a magazine. This is probably why she wrote this with such an energetic and engaging style.

if there is anything else needed, let me know.