Rule of Symbolism

Essentially, this is when something would normally stretch Willing Suspension of Disbelief, but it is so central to the themes or premise of the story that it is allowed so that it can be used as a symbol. A Natural Spotlight is often this. This rule is also related to the Anthropic Principle. What Anthropic Principle is for the existence of a work, Rule of Symbolism is for the core meaning of a work. A Super-Trope to: Crucial Cross Crucified Hero Shot Purple Is Powerful Symbolic Serene Submersion Symbol Motif Clothing Symbolic Weapon Discarding World of Symbolism Compare Does This Remind You of Anything?. Contrast Faux Symbolism (when something only appears symbolic), What Do You Mean, It's Not Didactic?, Everyone Is Jesus in Purgatory (when people see symbolism in everything, including meanings the author never intended). See also Stock Monster Symbolism and compare Magi Babble ('It doesn't have to make sense as long as it sounds mystical'). Psychosexual Horror often relies on sexual symbolism for the horror genre.