What you say is insightful. There are two things that stick out more than anything,
1) your mention of spray paint on subway walls is also in "Sounds of Silence", a song by Simon and Garfunkle about 40 years ago ("the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls", their grafitti announces/declares their existence, for the same reason, the songbird sings).
2) the mind of a child that never gave in is the mind of natural man that was meant to live in a paradise, a very innocent and righteous mind that has no real concept (except for suffering) of evil. Some researchers estimate that the natural mind is driven insane by the age of two, this harsh world of corruption and irrationlity (evil is illogical, peace and harmony are logical) is not what the natural mind is accustomed to. Parents are supposed to help in the transition, but that doesn't always work out well. That's why I suffered 51 years of suicidal Depression that I just got over a few months ago.
I believe that it is only the truly righteous person who will suffer a long-term Depression because of what you call "the mind of a child".
There is a painting by an artist who suffered life-long Depression and is still very popular worldwide today because it is so relevant to life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scream
