Myers' works on double consciousness), (27) but also to the two hypnotic states: the waking (or normal) state, and the trance (or hypnoid) state that Svengali would supposedly manipulate when hypnotising Trilby.
The trauma of imminent execution can cause a regression to such a defensive mode, during which normal functions of the 'executive' frontal cortex (or 'metacontrol') are disrupted and a hypnoid state may be mere easily triggered.