Nancy is a minor character in the Tom and Jerry series who first appeared in the short Baby Puss. She is a young girl who is the kid owner of Tom, who in which she dresses the cat like a baby and treats him like one.
History[]
Tom and Jerry[]
She was known to be the first major child to actually torment Tom. During the Tom and Jerry short known as Baby Puss, she berates Tom, forcing him to remain a baby which he gets heavily annoyed from (despite him enjoying the milk in the bottle that she feeds him). As soon as she was through she leaves the room, Tom is tormented by Jerry, who had been watching the entire time, as well as Butch, Meathead, and Topsy.
Tom and Jerry Tales[]
She made an appearance in the Tom & Jerry Tales episode Don't Bring Your Pet to School Day, where she is shown bringing Tom into her elementary School with him looking more annoyed than he did in 1943. She then informs him to behave or they will not win the gold Star for the best pet. After various experiments and tricks Tom makes at school through the episode, mostly because of Jerry's teasing, Tom is shown In Nancy's arms with the gold star. "You may not be the nicest cat, but you did win a gold star for being the best dancer'', Nancy said in her final words before the episode ended, marking her final appearance in the Tom & Jerry franchise.
She was then briefly seen in hugging Tom in Mrs. Two Shoes' photo album that Jerry was looking through multiple pictures of Tom in Monkey Chow. This may imply that both of them have familial ties with each other.
Characteristics[]
Appearance[]
She is a fair skin girl with brown pigtails wearing yellow dress, white socks and black shoes.
Personality[]
Tom and Jerry[]
Nancy is a commanding and uncompromising figure who revels in her role as both the parent and protector in her imaginative play. She takes her responsibilities seriously, treating Tom as her baby with a firm and often punishing demeanor. Her bossiness is apparent as she drags Tom out from hiding, clearly exhibiting little sympathy for his embarrassment or resentment. She is quick to berate him, threatening to spank him if he doesn't comply with her demands, illustrating her authoritarian approach.
Instead of embracing a playful or nurturing side, Nancy enforces her will with an iron fist. When she dresses Tom in baby clothes and confines him to a bassinet, it's less about playfulness and more about her desire to control and discipline him. Her insistence that he stay in bed while she runs errands underscores her domineering nature, indicating that she expects obedience and compliance without question.
Even in moments where one might expect affectionate behavior—like tucking him in or providing a bottle—her actions are dictated by a sense of power rather than genuine care. She appears indifferent to Tom's feelings, focusing instead on the satisfaction of maintaining her authority. Her interactions with him are steeped in a sense of seriousness and order, where love and affection take a back seat to her desire to assert dominance.
When Tom is mocked by Jerry and the other cats, her reaction is one of anger rather than understanding, suggesting that she expects Tom to uphold her standards even when it's difficult or embarrassing for him. Overall, Nancy's personality is defined by her bossy and authoritative nature, making her a formidable presence in the interactions with Tom, ensuring that her vision of play is executed on her terms.
Tom and Jerry Tales[]
Nancy embodies a strong, authoritative figure, eager to showcase her pet, Tom, as a prized possession in the school setting. Her commanding demeanor is evident from the start, as she expects Tom to behave impeccably to secure the gold star for best pet. Nancy's unwavering confidence in her expectations of Tom reflects her belief that she can control the situation, regardless of Tom's apparent discontent.
Throughout the episode, she is assertive and somewhat domineering, as she pushes Tom to apologize to Jerry after his hostile antics. There's little room for negotiation in her commands; her insistence that Tom kiss Jerry's head illustrates her disregard for Tom's humiliation in the name of maintaining order and appearance. This lack of empathy highlights that she may be more concerned with winning accolades than her pet's feelings.
Nancy's obliviousness is further showcased when she fails to comprehend Tom's growing frustration and his escalating madness in the school environment. She chastises him for misbehavior without fully understanding the chaos Jerry creates, oblivious to the impact of her demands on Tom. Even when Tom goes to great lengths to impress her—albeit in absurd and unflattering ways—Nancy seems more focused on the idea of winning than respecting his inherent characteristics as a cat.
Yet, despite her harshness, there's a hint of affection in her ultimate recognition of Tom's dance performance with the gold star, indicating that she values his efforts even if she doesn't fully acknowledge his range of emotions throughout the episode. Regardless of her initial authoritarian stance, Nancy shows a softer side when she commends Tom as "the best dancer", suggesting a nuanced relationship where discipline intersects with moments of validation.
In summary, Nancy's personality in this episode blends a strong authoritative streak with a degree of obliviousness, revealing a character who strives for perfection and recognition while navigating the chaotic dynamics of pet ownership—and, in turn, inadvertently showcasing the complexities of her relationship with Tom.
Appearances[]
Tom and Jerry[]
Tom and Jerry Tales[]
Season 2[]
- Don't Bring Your Pet to School Day
- Monkey Chow (pictured)
Reception[]
- Nancy became one of the more unfavorable characters in the franchise by fans, alongside with Tom's notorious owner from the infamous Gene Deitch-era and Jeannie the Babysitter from Busy Buddies and Tot Watchers. However, a few fans consider her the least hated out of the three as she doesn't physically beat Tom that much in comparison to the latter two.
Gallery[]
Tom and Jerry[]
.jpg "Baby Puss (32).jpg (266 KB)")
Tom and Jerry Tales[]
