In The Ten Commandments of Charm, which technique does Hurston primarily use to reveal restrictive gender expectations?

• A. Irony
• B. Satire
• C. Hyperbole
• D. Allegory

Answer: (A)

Hurston relies on irony to reveal restrictive gender expectations. The commandments read like practical, flattering guidance for women, but the humor comes from the gap between that surface message and the reality it exposes: these so-called rules trap women in limited roles and uphold a double standard. The reader recognizes that the praise of charm and compliance actually critiques the social norms behind them. The effect hinges on saying one thing while implying the opposite, which is the hallmark of irony. While there may be touches of wit or exaggeration along the way, the main tool for exposing the constraints is this ironic reversal embedded in the seemingly innocent directives.