What does rabbits represent in the novel of mice & men

Rabbits or the idea of rabbits, is central to Lennie’s psyche. They represent home, belonging, and comfort to Lennie’s simple mind. The symbol of the rabbits is fraught with vulnerability and tragic foreshadowing. We know that whatever soft things Lennie pets will be killed by him. Lennie continues to pet his metaphorical dream but we know that it cannot end well. Lennie somehow knows that his dream cannot come true. This is manifested in his final vision of a giant rabbit near the end of the story, "ain't fit to lick the boots of no rabbit. You'd forget 'em and let 'em go hungry." The giant rabbit tells Lennie what his unconscious has known for a long time: his dream of petting rabbits will never come true.