A Theory of Justice in OUaT

(Cross-posted from Tumblr, an anonymous ask)

Your recent Regina post got me thinking about theories of justice. What do you think is OUAT's philosophy of why/who/and how to punish someone? I feel like there's a fair amount of karmaic punishment by the show universe ("villains can't get their happy endings...[because they] always go about getting them the wrong way" i.e. Hook vs Oncoming Car), but less direct punishment by wronged characters (Belle sending Rumple over the town line). Would love to hear your take!

Oh Nonnie, what a delightful question this is! I hope I'm going to answer this well for you, because I had so much fun thinking about it while I was away. :) This is officially my favorite thing.

OUaT is a fairy tale; that's the language it speaks, the symbolism it uses. Fairy tales are, to a large extent, concerned with rules. Do this, or a wolf will eat you. Don't do that, or the fairies will get you. Be polite to old women, or don't come crying to me when you get cursed.

So what are the "do this or elses" of the Once-verse, what is the "else," and who deals it out?