if I try to figure out what that would translate to in the "real" world, as more of a psychological symbol, then it can start looking pretty bleak

I think this is what I do too. Which probably explains my dislike of Brothers Lionheart (or whatever it's called in English). I don't dislike Sunnanäng, only find it so very, very sad. But from what Terri said in her comment I might not think the same thing about your story, or at least not as strongly.