Yes, often some of the most famous fairy tales have deeper layers of meaning that speak to our societal and cultural values. As you allude to, it's really a matter of perspective and interpretation based on how we choose to regard specific elements within these stories. That said... "dead but alive" is certainly not an optimistic view on life if interpreted literally!
Discussion
yes well in contemporary linguistic context, mystery school references allude to real "life" beginning after a mystical "ego death" in which one becomes aware of the nirvana of the universe. children typically begin to lose their access to fluidly travelling between dimensions about the age of 4. some children never forget. i was one of those but that doesn't matter - that's what i was referencing. in old bloodlines, a coffin is considered a glass house, or a means of preservation for purity. many times, women from these bloodlines are treated like objects and "preserved" for breeding/oracles. so there is an appearance of a "waking death" which is a common theme amongst even the more modernised fairy tales.