The Daily Ping

THE QUESTION:
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Was Jerry the Mouse male or female?

THE ANSWER:
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It’s not totally clear, but it comes down to two choices: Jerry was either a lesbian or a male cross-dressing as a female.

THE FACTS:
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Tom was, without a doubt, male. However, a deeper analysis of episodes of “Tom and Jerry” must be done to determine Jerry’s gender and/or sexual preference.

THE PROOF:
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Two episodes can be separated from all the rest to prove the above statement.

The first is one in which Tom shaves all of Jerry’s hair off. Rather than being naked, Jerry is clearly wearing a bra and panties. This embarrasses Jerry greatly (s/he attempts to cover her/himself up with her/his hands). Is it simply because Jerry is apprehensive about being an underwear model for Tom? Is Jerry afraid that Tom, a large and dominating male, will overtake her physically and then sexually? Or is it that Jerry is really a man dressing in women’s undergarments (is that why Tom was always chasing Jerry — could he have suspected)?

In the second episode, Jerry is turned on when s/he meets a wind-up female mouse. The toy repeatedly proclaims “Come up and see me some time” and Jerry eagerly follows, heart pounding out of her/his chest and jaw on the ground. If Jerry is female, than this shows that she is either lesbian or perhaps simply a heterosexual with occasional homosexual impulses. If Jerry is male, however, this is a heterosexual attraction.

Looking at the combination of both episodes, there is no question that Jerry is either mentally disturbed or has an “alternative lifestyle.” It’s hard to say which, but there is something wacky going on, no question about it.

THE CONCLUSION/THE REAL QUESTION:
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To determine the final answer, furthur episodes of this cartoon must be studied carefully. Jerry’s actions and clothes-purchasing habits must be carefully monitored. Perhaps answers to smaller questions will lead to the final answer:

Does Jerry get especially cranky every 28 episodes?

Does Jerry show noticable confusion when getting dressed?

What does Jerry really look like under that fur?

But, the real mystery is why this important question has not been researched thoroughly by experts after this much time.

Will we ever know?

The preceeding was an actual paper I wrote for an English class in high school. I found it while transferring files from my old Apple II to my PC and I couldn’t resist giving this paper another shot at glory. -ram

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