At the end of the selection, Douglass distinguishes between being "a slave in form" and "a slave in fact" How does this distinction support the theme of this selection?

“A slave in form” refers to Douglass’s legal designation as a slave. “A slave in fact” refers to the lack of pride and self-determination he had as a human being. This dichotomy is played out through the novel. Douglass is not only physically shackled by his designation but emotionally shackled to the identity he is given.