Characterization in The Descendants

One of my favorite passages in the novel was the description of the nanny, Esther. While most authors I read prefer to use indirect characterization, the author used a more direct approach in describing Esther. When Esther is first shown, Matthew doesn't exactly explain what Esther was like before he started to become more involved in Scottie's life, he does describe how she is now that he is around more. At this point, we don't get a physical description, but we do know that she is the Mexican nanny. Matthew says Esther "has acquired quick retorts and smooth comic timing, so now she's the sassy Mexican maid, sitcom-ish and wise" (22). This passage stood out to me because it's not the type of description I'm used to seeing in literature. I liked that it set Esther up as a certain character type, and in doing so, related her to other media, through the use of the word "sitcom-ish." All in all, I enjoy Hemmings' approach to characterization and revealing background information. I like that she lets the story unfold, and as she does this, she doesn't leave the reader hanging on to mysteries because she blatantly tells us everything that the narrator knows, so that it is more like we know everything he knows, which allows him to come off as more of a reliable narrator, rather than the type of narrator who could save his secrets until the plot has unfolded a bit more.