Final answer:
Douglass included a passage about old Barney and young Barney to illustrate the systemic hardships of slavery and highlight Colonel Lloyd's capricious cruelty, providing insights into the abhorrent nature of slavery. The correct answer is option: 3 .Both of these.
Step-by-step explanation:
Douglass chose to include a passage about the treatment of old Barney and young Barney in his narrative to illustrate both the collective hardships of life as a slave and the wrath and fickle nature of Colonel Lloyd. By detailing the experiences of these individuals, Douglass provides concrete examples of the severe and arbitrary punishment slaves could endure, which served to highlight the larger issues within the institution of slavery.
Furthermore, it sheds light on the character of slaveholders like Colonel Lloyd, offering insights into the capricious and cruel ways they wielded their power over slaves. This passage emphasizes the pervasive fear and daily struggles of being enslaved, the unpredictability of punishment, and the inherent inhumanity in the treatment of slaves.