The Only Use

hypnotize
in
To Kill a Mockingbird
(Edited)

With one phrase he had turned happy picknickers into a sulky, tense, murmuring crowd, being slowly hypnotized by gavel taps lessening in intensity until the only sound in the courtroom was a dim pink-pink-pink: the judge might have been rapping the bench with a pencil.
p. 197.7

hypnotized = put into a trance-like state of focused concentration

Definitions:

(1) (hypnotize as in: hypnotized to try to remember)
to put someone into a state of hypnosis (a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility)

Hypnosis is a special, trance-like state of focused attention. A hypnotized person is often very relaxed and more willing than usual to accept and act on the hypnotist’s suggestions. Despite popular myths, hypnotized people don't lose control and won't do things against their core values.
(2) (hypnotize as in: hypnotized by her performance)
fascinate so much that awareness of other surrounding things is lost or too much trust is granted
(3) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)