Their tongue has been cut off and they work as domestic servants and waiters at the Capitol.
What is an Avox?
The Capitol severely punished those who rebelled against the government in Panem. While some rebels were put to death, others were turned into Avoxes. Avoxes are those rebels who have their tongues cut off, thus rendering them unable to speak. Avoxes are capable of making guttural sounds with their mouths, but not much else.
It was important for the Capitol to prevent rebels from communicating with each other. This is the reason they targeted the tongue and not any other body part of people who rebelled against the government. The term Avox comes from the Latin word which means “without a voice.”
How does an Avox become an Avox?
When a person from the districts or the Capitol is suspected of rebelling or deserting the government, they are caught by the Peacekeepers of the respective districts. The rebels are then taken to the Capitol where they are punished – by having their tongues removed. No one is exempt from this punishment – not even the Capitol citizens or the peacekeepers themselves. Darius, the peacekeeper from District 12, for instance, was turned into an Avox for stopping the new head peacekeeper, Romulus Thread, from whipping Gayle to death for illegal poaching.
Once the rebels are turned into Avoxes, they are assigned to perform the meanest form of labor that is required around the Capitol. Thus, Avoxes become servants, waiters, or manual laborers. They form the lowest class of society in the Capitol and as such, no one speaks to them unless they are giving instructions.
What does an Avox do?
The main function of an Avox is to serve Capitol citizens and tributes of the Hunger Games. They work as servants and waiters who wait upon every beck and call of Capitol citizens. Lavinia, the Avox girl who Katniss recognizes, for instance, works as a servant to Katniss before the 74th and 75th Hunger Games.
A large majority of the Avox population also worked as manual laborers in the Capitol. Pollux, the Avox cameraman who joins the cause of the Second Rebellion, for instance, worked underground in the utility pipes before his brother bought his way out of the job.
Avoxes are also charged with the day-to-day maintenance of the Capitol. Some of them worked in shifts in the Transfer network underground as well. Thus, Avoxes keep the Capitol functioning to allow the higher classes to enjoy themselves without having to worry about menial jobs and everyday labor.
What Is The Treatment For A Rebellious Avox?
Since Avoxes already have their tongues cut off, they are expected to toe the line when it comes to the government of Panem. However, the Capitol does not show any more mercy if an Avox is found rebelling once again. Presumably, a rebellious Avox is tortured and ultimately killed for going against the government a second time.
Appearance
Even though their tongues have been cut off, Avoxes do not look any different from others. However, what sets them apart from Capitol citizens is their attire. Avoxes wear distinct uniforms to mark their status in the Capitol.
Avoxes in the Capitol
All Avoxes, whether they are originally from the district or not, are sent to the Capitol to work as domestic servants or waiters. Thus, every known Avox is found only at the Capitol. One of the most significant Avoxes to make an appearance in the Capitol is Lavinia, the girl whom Katniss recognizes from the time she went hunting in the forests surrounding District 12 with Gale.
Avoxes in the Districts
There are no Avoxes to be found in the districts apart from the ones who took part in the Second Rebellion. Pollux is a significant Avox who worked at the Capitol for several years before joining the Second Rebellion as a cameraman. During the Second Rebellion, Pollux made a base at District 13. He is also the only known Avox to have survived the Second Rebellion. Besides Pollux, knowledge about the Avoxes in the Districts is close to zero. Katniss, for instance, does not even know what an Avox is until Haymitch tells her.
“What’s an Avox?” I ask stupidly.
“Someone who committed a crime. They cut her tongue so she can’t speak,” says Haymitch. “She’s probably a traitor of some sort. Not likely you’d know her.”
FAQs
What did the Avox girl do?
Lavinia, the Avox girl who was a servant to Katniss in the 74th and 75th Hunger Games, was a Rebel who tried to run away from the Capitol.
Why does Katniss feel guilty about the Avox?
Katniss feels guilty about the Avox girl, Lavinia, because the girl had asked Katniss for help in the woods one day. However, Katniss had merely stood frozen while the girl was captured by the hovercraft and later turned into an Avox.
Why did the Capitol make people an Avox?
The Capitol made people into Avox for rebelling against the government. That is, their tongues were cut off, rendering them speechless.
How does Katniss know the Avox?
Katniss recognizes the Avox girl, Lavinia from her time in the woods with Gale. The girl had asked Katniss to help her escape from the Capitol.
Why did Pollux get his tongue cut off?
Pollux got his tongue cut off for rebellion against the Capitol. He was thus turned into an Avox and was forced to do slave work in the underground sewage system.
Who is the Avox girl and why does Katniss recognize her?
The Avox girl, Lavinia, is Katniss’ servant in the 74th and 75th Hunger Games. Katniss recognizes her as a rebel who was trying to run away in the woods while she was hunting with Gale.
What does Katniss wonder about the Avox thoughts?
Feeling guilty about leaving the Avox girl, Lavinia, to her own defenses, Katniss wonders whether the girl would enjoy watching Katniss die in the Hunger Games or not.