Tom and Jerry Cartoons under this category
In this cartoon, Tom is resting peacefully until Jerry comes along. A typically violent chase begins until Tom is crushed to death by a piano and climbs the golden stairway of heaven to the golden gates of the “Heavenly Express”. Unfortunately for Tom, the gatekeeper refuses him entry because he has persecuted Jerry all his life. However, if he can get a signature stating Jerry’s forgiveness within an hour, a reprieve will be granted and he will be allowed through; otherwise he will be sent down to hell, where Spike the Bulldog personified as the devil with a pitchfork awaits.
Unsurprisingly, Tom struggles to plead wth Jerry to sign, although Jerry does give in and sign - after the hour is up! Tom tries to climb the stairs but they disappear and are replaced by a hole - leading to Hell! Yes, Tom is eternally damned - or is he? It turns it in the end that it was all a nightmare, and he hugs an unsuspecting Jerry,Tom is going to kill Jerry after having the certificate destroyed, but Spike gives him a powerful reminder of the consequence of doing so
The episode is a representation of the afterlife and how we behave affect our final destination. However a more subtle message comes when Tom is threatened with hell for chasing a mouse, despite being a cat’s natural instinct. This perhaps shows just how few people are thought to be worthy of heaven.
