Final answer:
Frederick Douglass is emphasizing his resolve to resist subjugation by physical force, stating that any attempt to whip him would equate to an attempt on his life, as he would fight back even at the cost of death.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Frederick Douglass states that “the white man who expected to succeed in whipping, must also succeed in killing me,” he is expressing his determination to resist the oppression of slavery, even at the risk of his own life. This quote reflects Douglass's realization that his personal dignity and desire for freedom were more important than his physical survival under the dehumanizing conditions of slavery. His willingness to fight back against an overseer represents a significant turning point in his life, symbolizing his reclaiming of self-worth and his refusal to be subjugated by the violent institution of slavery.