Final answer:
Mark Twain's literature displays irreverence toward societal norms by incorporating parody, satire, and humor to critique politics and social customs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mark Twain's Irreverence in Literature
Mark Twain is renowned for his irreverence towards social norms and ideas, which can be demonstrated through his use of parody. His writings often mock the established social order and particularly the absurdities of the politics of his day, which garnered both amusement and criticism from his readers.
For example, in his work The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, Twain uses regional humor and dialect to construct a narrative that playfully scrutinizes the local customs and outsider perceptions. His book Roughing It! contains exaggerated tales of his travels, blending fact and fiction to critique the narratives of the American West, demonstrating his ability to weave satire and social commentary into his storytelling.
In the case of The War Prayer, Twain employs irony to criticize the Spanish-American War and the broader concept of war itself, provoking thought about the real consequences of such endeavors.
These works exhibit Twain's skill in using humor and exaggeration to make incisive points about society and politics. Twain's influence as a key figure in American Literary Realism and his mastery of comedic nuance solidify his place as an important critic of social mores through literature.