An appositive explains or identifies
the verb
the noun or pronoun that follows it
the noun or pronoun that comes just before it

the sentence does not violate the phrase structure second rule (introduced by noam chomsky) because noun phrases consist of a determiner such as a, the or every, and a noun. in the sentence, the noun phrase the cake includes a determiner (the) and a noun (cake).

on the other hand, the first rule indicates that a sentence encloses a noun phrase, followed by a verb phrase. the example sentence can be analysed as follows:

john (n) + ate (v) + the (det) + cake (n).

1. both men a determined to break douglass.

2. douglass is still considered to be one of captain anthony's possessions.

3. douglass escapes to freedom in the north and changes his name.

4. the events are usually written from a distance in time.

5. the recording of events in chronological order.