Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), one of America’s all-time major authors, had many disappointments in his literary career. Being of a melancholy nature, he was 26 to become gloomy about his future as a writer. Pessimism was Hawthorne’s bitterest foe. Three different times in his life Hawthorne had to give up writing as a livelihood and take a government job. At such times he had not been 27 his understanding wife Sophia he might very possibly have abandoned literature altogether. On one especially discouraging occasion, Hawthorne returned home with the announcement that he had just lost his government position. “What will we do now, Sophia?” he sighed in 28 . “This is the end.” American literature is beholden 29 Sophia for what happened next. Instead of 30 her husband for losing his job, she went to the cupboard, took down pen, ink, and paper, and placed them on the table. Then, caressing her husband affectionately, she smiled and said, “Just think of it! Now you’ll be completely free to write that book you’ve had in mind and couldn’t find time for.” Sophia’s positive attitude caused Hawthorne to master up enough courage to sit down at the table and begin work. The result was The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne’s finest novel and one of the most valuable contributions to American literature.