Jacob brought individuals to the Island with a singular, long-term objective: to find a candidate capable of killing the Man in Black (MIB), a being he himself had inadvertently created but was forbidden from directly harming.
Jacob, as the protector of the Island, found himself in a unique predicament. He had established a powerful adversary, the Man in Black, but was bound by ancient rules that prevented him from physically confronting or ending the MIB's existence. This critical limitation necessitated a complex, multi-generational strategy.
Jacob's Dilemma
The core of Jacob's motivation stemmed from his inability to resolve a critical threat he had originated. The Man in Black posed an enduring danger, and Jacob sought a definitive solution without violating the strictures placed upon him.
- Creation of the Threat: Jacob was responsible for the existence of the Man in Black in his current form.
- Imposed Limitations: Despite the threat, Jacob was prohibited from directly engaging in a physical confrontation or killing the MIB himself. This rule forced him to seek an indirect approach.
The Solution: Candidates
To circumvent his limitations, Jacob devised an elaborate plan to meticulously select and bring numerous individuals, or "candidates," to the Island over many years. This process spanned countless generations, indicating the depth and foresight of his strategy.
The Purpose of the Candidates
The primary reason for bringing these diverse individuals to the Island was to empower one of them to achieve what Jacob could not: eliminate the Man in Black. Jacob carefully observed and guided these candidates, hoping one would ultimately prove capable of fulfilling this crucial task.
- Eliminating the Man in Black: The ultimate goal for the candidates was to find a way to kill the MIB, thereby removing the enduring threat he posed to the Island and potentially the world.
- Succession: While the direct objective was MIB's demise, the process also served as a means to find a suitable successor to Jacob as the Island's protector, ensuring its continued safety.
- Free Will: Jacob's method emphasized guiding rather than forcing, allowing candidates to make their own choices while subtly influencing them towards the ultimate objective.
Through this intricate design, Jacob sought to resolve the significant problem he faced, ensuring the Island's protection by finding an external agent to complete the task he was forbidden to undertake.
