In Lois Lowry's The Giver, Asher is required to play catch in order to improve his hand-eye coordination because it is not up to standard. In this community, equality and conformity are essential values. A large part of children's education is focused on making them the same as everyone else. Every aspect of life is standardized in this community, including hand-eye coordination. Asher's weaknesses are not acceptable. For Asher to be a compliant member of this society, he must overcome this physical weakness.
One effect that this attitude has on the community is an inability to understand the difference between equality and sameness. These characters believe that everyone must be the same if everyone is going to be treated equally. A weakness like hand-eye coordination or imperfect grammar can be cared for through education. But permanent disabilities are not tolerated. These differences can not exist in the community if people are to be equal to one another. It is tragic that the citizens of this village cannot see the value of humans that do not fit their ideal.
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