Technology: Understatement

When a narrator minimizes the severity or strength of the events being narrated. Something horrifying, for example, might be narrated in a calm and measured way. This might be done deliberately or inadvertently.

Primary term: Irony

View Version History for This Term

No Friend But The Mountains
Experience: Distress
Narrative Technology: Understatement
"The police that patrolled the city left no stone unturned in pursuit of us; I couldn't relax for a second. They were throwing everyone they caught into prison, and then deporting them after a few days. Even contemplating that scenario is painful. Having to return to the point from which I started would be a death sentence." -Boochani 9
Contributed by: gjosselyn
April 27, 2026