It’s possible that the hope of her parents returning was what allowed her to survive for so long. It was her willpower to preservere because of that hope.
Indeed. My interpretation of the character as written is that of devotee/true believer. TFA is steeped in Medieval European imagery more than the previous installments, and Rey’s characterization is similar to Galahad in search of the Grail (also a contrast to Anakin as Lancelot).