In Chapter 6 Lennie asks George to tell the same comforting story he has asked for throughout the novel. Specifically he wants George to talk about two closely related things:
- The dream farm / the little piece of land — the place they will own together where they can "live off the fatta the lan'." Lennie repeatedly asks George to describe the farm they will have so he can picture a safe, permanent home.
- The rabbits on that farm — and in particular the rabbits Lennie will tend. For Lennie the rabbits are the clearest, most concrete part of the dream; he often asks George to tell him about them because he loves to imagine petting and caring for the rabbits.
Why these things comfort Lennie:
- They offer predictability and safety. Lennie is frightened, confused, and aware that something terrible has happened. The dream is a stable, rehearsed story he knows by heart; hearing it restores the sense that the future can be safe and ordered.
- They provide a simple, sensory pleasure. Lennie’s strongest affection is for soft things (mice, puppies, and rabbits). The image of petting rabbits is an immediate, soothing mental image that calms him more than abstract talk of money or freedom.
- They reaffirm George’s care. The story is not just about a place — it’s about George promising to protect and provide for Lennie. Hearing George tell the dream reminds Lennie that George is there and still looking out for him.
- They function as an emotional escape. Faced with panic, guilt, and fear of punishment, Lennie retreats into the familiar fantasy. The dream blocks out the harsh present and lets him imagine a gentle future.
In short, the farm and the rabbits are comforting because they are concrete, repeated images of safety, affection, and the close bond with George — exactly what Lennie needs in his most terrified moments.