Object
Eve's Apple (Prentice's Lost Diamond Fortune)
Prentice's lost diamond fortune, nicknamed Eve's Apple, fuels the central mystery. Martha recounts Grace's fruitless search after Prentice hid it, speculating he gave it to the poor or threw it into the ocean to shield 'corrupting evil' from 'wicked hands.' Jud probes its fate with a direct question, while Grace listens amid Martha's gleeful retelling that exposes church grudges and conspiracy.
4 appearances
Purpose
Store and transfer diamond wealth
Significance
Anchors the core plot mystery and clash between faith and greed; Grace's failed hunt sparks vengeance, Martha weaponizes the tale to guard secrets and vilify rivals, Jud's query advances the intrigue.
Appearances in the Narrative
When this object appears and how it's used