In The Ten Commandments of Charm, Hurston frames men's fundamental problem as their

• A. Helplessness
• B. Pride
• C. Ignorance
• D. Anger

Answer: (A)

At the heart of Hurston’s piece is a look at how men cope with vulnerability in the realm of charm and courtship. She shows that what drives their behavior isn’t real control or confidence, but a sense of helplessness—an insecurity that makes charm feel like a lifeline rather than a natural expression. The flirtatious rules and maneuvers become performances to mask that insecurity, revealing a deeper dependence on schemes rather than genuine agency.

This reading fits best because the humor and irony focus on how these “commands” expose men’s inability to navigate authentic connection, not simply pride, ignorance, or anger. Pride would imply unshakable self-assurance, which the text undercuts by showing the performative quality of charm. Ignorance would point to a lack of knowledge, whereas Hurston emphasizes a broader, more fundamental discomfort with power, vulnerability, and genuine interaction. Anger isn’t the driving force either; the tone is more sly and observational than combative.

So the fundamental issue Hurston highlights is a sense of helplessness that underlies the men’s charming behavior.