Written approximately in 1961, Donald Hall's, "A Hundred Thousand Straightened Nails," is a biographical essay which has the main topic of his cousin Washington Woodward. Growing up, Hall's grandfather would tell him stories of Woodward and, "Most of them were funny, for Washington was eccentric" (31). Although while Washington did have odd behavior, he was very self sufficient. Throughout the essay Hall portrays his cousin in such a way that Washington's eccentricity has both its virtues and its flaws.
             Washington, compliments of his father, had grown misanthropic at a young age and only liked his family. Because of this, he lived in solitude in a shack that he built separated from everyone. Even though he lived alone, when he was around his family he was a very loquacious person. Whenever someone would come around you could "scratch him anywhere" (34) and he would tell you his whole life story. It wasn't that he had something very interesting to talk about, he just loved to talk. Ever since he was younger he would talk a lot and most of the time his family wouldn't even listen. Just occasionally respond to him when there was a pause.
             Washington was very skillful and could build anything. "Give him a forge and some scraps of old iron, my grandfather said, and he could make a locomotive too" (32). Not only was he skilled with his hands but he was also very prideful in his work. Hall explains how Washington didn't care how long it took to fix something; it would be fixed to the best of his ability, usually ending in perfect condition. His excellency had a price though. Because he was so slow in repairing, it resulted in losing money; no matter how good of a job he did. Money, however, did not matter to Washington. He cared more about a person giving their word than how much he was paid. He would rarely do work for others unless it was Hall's grandfather or for the cit...