How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Bigwig and Hawkbit chased each other through the long grass. Speedwell jumped over the little brook that ran down the middle of the field and when Acorn tried to follow him and fell short, Silver joked with him as he scrambled out and rolled him in a patch of dead oak leaves until he was dry. As the sun rose higher, shortening the shadows and drawing the dew from the grass, most of the rabbits came wandering back to the sun-flecked shade among the cow parsley along the edge of the ditch. Here, Hazel and Fiver were sitting with Dandelion under a flowering wild cherry. The white petals spun down around them, covering the grass and speckling their fur, while thirty feet above a thrush sang, "Cherry dew, cherry dew. Knee deep, knee deep, knee deep." (12.3)
We can tell that this place sure feels home-like to the rabbits. They're relaxed and playing with each other (like good members of the community). Plus, check out all that nature description. Among the other things they need, rabbits need nature. Very richly described nature that slows down the story just a bit.
Quote #5
For the first time, Hazel began to realize how much they had left behind. The holes and tunnels of an old warren become smooth, reassuring and comfortable with use. There are no snags or rough corners. Every length smells of rabbit—of that great, indestructible flood of Rabbitry in which each one is carried along, sure-footed and safe. The heavy work has all been done by countless great-grandmothers and their mates. (12.65)
Rabbits are like hobbits. Home isn't just any old hole in the ground. The best homes for rabbits have all the amenities, like smooth tunnels, bidets, central heating, and a long history of rabbits, "that great, indestructible flood of Rabbitry." We love that; check out that capital R to remind us that we're talking about something important and abstract—it's not just this particular rabbit, it's all of Rabbitry.
Quote #6
"We were all born in a warren that was dug before our mothers were born," said Blackberry. "We're used to holes and not one of us has ever helped to dig one. And if ever there was a new one, who dug it? A doe. I'm quite sure, myself, that if we don't change our natural ways we shan't be able to stay here very long. Somewhere else, perhaps; but not here." (19.25)
Here's Blackberry, the inventive rabbit, making the case that the male rabbits are going to have to step up and start digging and doing other chores around the house. When they're making a new home, they may have to come up with some new ideas. (See "Themes: Exploration" for more of Blackberry's thoughts about new ideas.)