hmm, I actually like this. There are many situations in life where people are, in fact, completely trapped and powerless in a situation and the only power they possess is in the arena of their mind. To me, this does not exemplify false hope or delusion, it seems like he has acknowledged the reality of his situation and the only power he possessed was his choice to focus on the bars or look at the trees.

It's a nice idea - it takes a force of will that greatly exceeds anything that I possess.