Final answer:
Frederick Douglass's statement is an example of antithesis, a rhetorical device contrasting two opposing concepts to emphasize their differences. The statement reflects the profound disparity between the wretchedness of slavery and the blessedness of freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement by Frederick Douglass, "The wretchedness of slavery, and the blessedness of freedom were perpetually before me" is a great example of antithesis. Antithesis is a rhetorical device that contrasts two opposing ideas in a parallel structure to highlight the difference between them. Slavery and freedom are presented as opposites to emphasize the extreme disparity between the two states.
Douglass's narrative is not only a powerful testimony to the horrors of slavery but also a reflection of the profound longing for freedom experienced by the enslaved. The quote exemplifies the extreme conditions of Douglass's life and the contrasting emotions connected to each state. Through his writing, he seeks to convey the depth of pain associated with slavery while simultaneously highlighting the profound joy and sanctity of freedom.
By juxtaposing these ideas, Douglass reveals the complexity of his thoughts and experiences, and illustrates the sophisticated awareness he had of the rhetoric he employed for his audience. His narrative addresses multiple dimensions of slavery, including its cruelty, the destruction of families, and the moral and theological underpinnings which unjustifiably supported it.