Llantha Kapoor

Mesmerism is a form of hypnotism, where clients would be put into deep trances due to the power of the mesmerists’ ‘animal magnetism’. It’s named after Franz Anton Mesmer, an 18th century Viennese physician who claimed he could manipulate the vital force that flows through every human being. In 19th Century medicine, some doctors still believed in the potential benefits of putting patients into trances during surgery.

When Caroline, William and John visit Kapoor at his Uncle’s curry house near the docks, it quickly becomes apparent that Kapoor has also picked up Mesmer’s habit of demonstrating entrancing stroking powers on young women like Caroline…