The Fatal Fruit: 5 Shocking Reasons Why Lord Jacks, The Prince Of Hearts, Eats Apples

Contents

The curious case of Lord Jacks and his endless supply of apples has captivated millions of readers across the globe, becoming one of the most debated literary mysteries of the last few years. As the enigmatic Prince of Hearts in Stephanie Garber's *Once Upon a Broken Heart* trilogy, Jacks is rarely seen without an apple in hand, a seemingly innocuous habit that holds a dark and crucial significance to his character and the overarching plot. As of December 2025, the mystery has been definitively resolved by the author and the final book, revealing a heartbreaking reason tied directly to his immortal nature and a devastating curse.

This article dives deep into the lore of the Magnificent North, pulling back the curtain on the true, and often heartbreaking, reasons behind Jacks’ constant consumption of the forbidden fruit. It's not just a quirk; it’s a deliberate plot device that serves as a constant reminder of his power, his curse, and his intense, uncontrollable desires.

Lord Jacks, The Prince of Hearts: A Brief Biography

To truly understand the apple’s significance, one must first grasp the identity and history of the man who eats them. Lord Jacks is not a mere mortal; he is one of the legendary and powerful Fates—ancient, god-like beings in the world of the *Caraval* and *Once Upon a Broken Heart* series. His biography is a tapestry woven with immortality, betrayal, and a devastating curse.

  • Full Title: Lord Jacks, The Prince of Hearts.
  • Series Affiliation: Introduced in the *Caraval* trilogy, becoming the main male protagonist in the spin-off *Once Upon a Broken Heart* (OUABH) trilogy.
  • Species/Status: One of the original Fates. Fates are powerful, immortal beings with immense magical abilities.
  • Core Power: The ability to control and manipulate the emotions of others, particularly love and desire.
  • The Curse: Jacks is afflicted by a curse that makes his kiss fatal to anyone he does not truly love. This curse is central to his character arc.
  • Key Relationships: Evangeline Fox (the main heroine of OUABH), Donatella Dragna (from the *Caraval* series).
  • Defining Trait: His seemingly endless, almost obsessive, habit of eating apples.

Jacks is known for his striking appearance—silver hair and golden eyes—and his charming yet utterly ruthless demeanor. His actions are often driven by a cynical view of love and a desperate need to break the curse that has plagued him for centuries. The apple is intrinsically linked to his internal struggle.

The Definitive Answer: Suppressing the Deadly Urge to Kiss

The primary, and most confirmed, reason for Jacks' apple-eating habit is a method of self-control and suppression. This explanation was largely confirmed by the author, Stephanie Garber, and explicitly alluded to in the conclusion of the trilogy, *A Curse for True Love*.

1. The Fatal Kiss and the Curse of Desire

Jacks' most defining characteristic is his deadly kiss. Due to an ancient curse, any kiss he gives to someone he does not truly love will instantly kill them. As a Fate, Jacks is a creature of intense, overwhelming desires—specifically the desire to be loved and to love. When he is near someone who stirs his emotions, particularly Evangeline Fox, his urges to kiss them become almost unbearable.

The apples act as a substitute for kissing. By constantly biting into and consuming the fruit, Jacks is able to divert his physical and emotional energy, channeling the intense, forbidden desire into the mundane, repetitive action of eating. It is a coping mechanism, a physical barrier, and a ritualistic distraction from his fatal curse.

2. The Fates’ Mechanism of Control

The apples are a specific example of a broader concept within the lore of the Fates. The Fates are all cursed with intense, overwhelming desires that they must actively suppress to maintain control. For instance, another Fate, Lala, is described as constantly sewing to suppress her intense urge to get married.

Jacks’ apple-eating fits this pattern perfectly. The ritual of the apple—the crunch, the sweetness, the sharp sensation—is his chosen method for keeping his own powerful, Fates-driven desires for affection, and the deadly impulse to kiss, in check. When his emotions are running highest, he eats more, a clear sign of his internal struggle to remain controlled and prevent a fatal mistake.

Deeper Symbolism: The Apple as a Literary Device

Beyond the functional plot device of suppressing a deadly curse, the apple is a rich and deliberate literary symbol used by Stephanie Garber to deepen Jacks’ character and the series’ themes. The fruit is one of the most recognizable and potent symbols in mythology and fairytales, adding layers of meaning to the Prince of Hearts’ actions.

3. The Forbidden Fruit and the Fall of Man

The most obvious symbolism connects to the Biblical story of Adam and Eve. The apple is famously known as the Forbidden Fruit that led to the Fall of Man, representing temptation, knowledge, and sin. By constantly eating the apple, Jacks is symbolically confronting, consuming, and controlling his own "forbidden" nature. He is the ultimate temptation, a figure who promises a happily-ever-after but is inherently dangerous. His consumption of the fruit is a constant, visible struggle against the wicked nature he embodies as the Prince of Hearts.

4. The Poisoned Apple of Fairytales

The apple also evokes the classic fairytale motif of the poisoned apple, most famously from *Snow White*. This symbolism reinforces the duality of Jacks’ character. The apple appears crisp, sweet, and innocent on the outside, much like Jacks’ deceptive charm. However, within the context of his curse, it's a constant reminder that he is capable of delivering a fatal poison—his kiss. The apples he eats are a visual cue that danger, and potential death, is always present when he is near.

5. The Resolution: "I Won't Be Needing These Anymore"

The definitive proof of the apple's purpose comes in the final book of the trilogy, *A Curse for True Love*. In a pivotal moment, Jacks makes a comment about no longer needing the apples, or his need for them diminishing significantly. This statement is a powerful narrative signal that his curse has been broken, or at least fundamentally altered, through his relationship with Evangeline Fox. The constant, physical need for the apples vanishes the moment his curse is lifted or his true love is realized, confirming that the fruit was purely a mechanism to manage his deadly, forbidden desires. The apples were a temporary solution to an eternal problem.

In conclusion, the mystery of why Jacks eats apples is far more complex than a simple character quirk. It is a multi-layered literary device that serves as a physical representation of his fatal curse, his internal turmoil, and his desperate battle for self-control against the overwhelming, deadly urges of a Fate. It is the core of his tragic romance with Evangeline, making the Prince of Hearts one of the most compelling and tragic characters in modern Young Adult fantasy.

The Fatal Fruit: 5 Shocking Reasons Why Lord Jacks, The Prince of Hearts, Eats Apples
why does jacks eat apples
why does jacks eat apples

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