What is understatement in the poem cremation of Sam McGee?

Understatement is a figure of speech that deliberately understates the truth in order to create a humorous or ironic effect. In the poem "The Cremation of Sam McGee," Robert W. Service uses understatement to create a humorous effect by downplaying the seriousness of Sam McGee's death. For example, Service describes Sam's death as "a quiet sleep" and his body as "a chunk of cold clay." These descriptions are a significant understatement of the reality of Sam's death, which was likely violent and painful. By using understatement, Service creates a humorous contrast between the seriousness of Sam's death and the casual way he describes it.