Story by Carson Muscutt and Arianna Mioni
The Tali Toss Up is a series dedicated to our staff voicing their opinions on why something is better than the other. In this case, Talisman magazine writing editor Carson Muscutt and writer Arianna Mioni argue to establish which legendary character is better from the 1940 cartoon: “Tom and Jerry”.
“Tom and Jerry”, a comedy cartoon created in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, centers around a house cat, Tom, and a house mouse, Jerry. An ongoing feud between the two takes place throughout the series, drawing the audience in episode by episode. The real question is: which house animal is better?

Tom: Carson Muscutt
As a kid, rooting for the adorable, innocent mouse rather than the mean, ferocious house cat was easy. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to view these two iconic cartoon characters through a new lens and root for Tom anytime I watch the show.
Despite the show being created almost an entire century ago, cats are generally still viewed as pets while mice are viewed as either pests or food for someone’s pet. By having the role of a house cat, Tom is tasked by his owner to keep pests out of his home. While Tom’s intentions are very clear, Jerry has made it clear that his only goal is to make Tom’s life a living hell.
Jerry’s actions while he is present in Tom’s home are often mischievous and even dangerous at times. While clever, Jerry’s actions often cause harm to Tom and everyone else around them. In the episode “The Two Mouseketeers,” Jerry’s mischief results in Tom getting executed by the end of the episode. Is this who you all want to root for?
Tom, while daft, is an accurate portrayal of a cat. He likes to sleep, he likes to drink milk and he likes to catch pests. Jerry on the other hand is as unrealistic as mice come. He is seemingly unafraid of cats despite being a natural prey for them.
Oftentimes, Tom isn’t trying to harm Jerry. There are many episodes where Tom is relaxing by the pool, trying to get food from his owner, or trying to impress a girl cat he likes. Without instigating, Tom will always manage to find himself in harm’s way with Jerry.
Jerry on the other hand is a freeloader. He often manages to eat 10 times the amount of food that can fit in his body, which is usually Tom’s food to begin with. It isn’t even his home, yet he is always expecting something in return.
Tom is a better character for his scream alone. Even today, his screams are still some of the most iconic sound effects in motion picture history. Hearing him go “Ow-whoa-oh-OH-ho-hoo” or “AHHHHHHHHHHHH” never failed to put a smile on my face as a kid.
It is quite apparent that the creators of the show wanted it to be viewed through the lens of Jerry. If the narrative was shifted, it would be easier to see Tom as the hero and Jerry as the villain.
When all odds are against Tom, he never gives up. In every episode, Tom faces humiliation and injury by virtue of Jerry’s clever tactics but never stops being resilient. However, he manages to always quickly escape due to his size.
Jerry may be a smart mouse, but is it worth risking the ability to be kind and compassionate to hurt others for the sake of your own entertainment?
Jerry: Arianna Mioni
The decades-long cartoon debate must come to an end. In this debate, the only acceptable conclusion must be that Jerry is the best character.
If you are like me, the thought of “Tom and Jerry” provides a stark image: a vicious and deadly cat hunting a carefree and clever mouse desperate for a home. While Jerry fights for a roof over his head, Tom fights for Jerry’s death.
Tom acts as an authoritarian landlord. He denies Jerry any attempt at freedom as he cannot even leave his home, let alone feel comfortable in it. The mere sight of Jerry sparks hostility in Tom, exposing his true characteristics to the audience: short-tempered, murderous and unfriendly, launching violent and furious attacks.
Tom’s presence brings destruction and chaos into Jerry’s life. He attempts to murder him throughout the series, subjecting him to mouse traps, frying pans or threatening to eat him. However, it must be noted that his attempts are never successful. Jerry’s resilience in the series is not to be ignored and acts as a testament to the strength and superiority of his character.
While violence is to be condemned, Jerry has the right to defend himself against Tom’s attacks. Jerry is the definition of a survivor. Through the trials and tribulations Tom puts him through, Jerry still manages to rise back stronger every time.
While Jerry’s escapades are occasionally based on revenge, his reaction to Tom’s violence is completely valid. If your landlord was chasing you through your apartment complex with a machete, would you not try to defend yourself? (Even if that means you need to drop an anvil on his head.)
A major difference between Tom and Jerry’s tactics lies in their success rate. Throughout the entire series, Tom continuously fails to meet his goal of killing Tom. However, Jerry’s power and resilience allow him to successfully defend himself and save his life. While he may be a mouse, his actions make him a complete underdog.
Are murderous attempts morally wrong? If we believe this as a society, should that not be translated into the media we consume? Where do we draw the line on an ethical basis? Do we believe in self-defense and preservation? All of these questions can be answered when asking which character is better.
And if you’re anything like me, the answers you find may lead you down the same direction: Jerry is the clear winner of this competition.