Final answer:
Mark Twain used parody to critique social norms and historical events, such as in his satire 'The War Prayer,' which highlighted the contradictions of war. His works often featured regional humor and the mockery of social outsiders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mark Twain was known for his irreverence and satire regarding social norms and institutions of his time. He would often create parodies to express his critique on various aspects of society. An example of his work that can be seen as a parody of a historical event is "The War Prayer," which is a satire of the attitudes and events surrounding the Spanish-American War. Through this piece, Twain captures the irony of war by showing the contrast between the patriotic fervor and the horrifying realities of the battlefield. This act was a direct mockery of the jingoistic attitudes of the time.
Twain's literature often included the mockery of outsiders, such as in "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," using regional humor and dialect to create a parody of the confidence man narrative. In his other works, like A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Twain parodied romanticized historical eras by placing a modern man in the time of King Arthur, thereby highlighting anachronisms and social commentary on contemporary society and medieval romance.