A From Literary Roots to Media Studies: The Artistic Use of Defamiliarization Technique in Tom &Jerry (animated series)

Abstract

William Hanna and Joseph Barbera’s creation Tom & Jerry is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated series of the 20th century. This iconic series is evidence of the lasting appeal of animation and its ability to captivate viewers for decades.With its innovative approach to visual storytelling, timeless humour, endearing characters, and most notably its artistic use of defamiliarization technique, Tom & Jerry has left an indelible mark on the animation industry, providing amusement to viewers of all ages around the world and firmly soldifying its status as a true masterpiece. Based on the visual analysis method, this paper adapts Shklovsky’s technique of ‘defamiliarization’ from the field of literature to the domain of media studies, explaining its different facets and exploring its practical implications. By transcending the boundaries of its original literay context, this paper aims to throw light on the many ways in which defamiliarization manifests itself in Tom & Jerry animated series and how it has a big impact on getting viewers to change their habitual reactions to artwork and instead percieve it in a fresh, vivid, and intense way.