Final answer:
The story of Mr. Covey represents a conflict with society through his cruel and deceptive nature, particularly within the institution of slavery. His violent and deceitful tactics against slaves, like Frederick Douglass, highlight his role as a 'slave-breaker' in opposition to moral norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The story of Mr. Covey from the narratives of Frederick Douglass illustrates him as an individual pitted against society. Mr. Covey's notorious reputation for deceiving not only those around him but also attempting to deceive beliefs of piety highlights his conflict with societal norms of morality and justice. The kick and blows that Covey delivered to an unwell Douglass portray his utter disregard for human dignity, thus showcasing Covey's violent and deceitful tactics in the system of slavery where he thrived on being a 'slave-breaker'.
Douglass' determination to resist such inhumane treatment by Covey and the decision to ultimately escape underscores the individual's struggle against the oppressive societal structures of that time.
Douglass' fight not only involved a physical confrontation but also a mental triumph over fear and victimization — a transformation from a 'slave' to a 'man.' Based on the text, it is evident that Covey challenged socially accepted norms by embodying extreme cruelty and exploitation, which bolstered the adversarial system of slavery.