I think the whole point is DESTROY THE HOUSE... and encourage children to try to do amazing-absolutely incredible-'we don't pay attention to gravity' things (I was one of them, and this is normally when mom yells and Newton gets upset)
By the way, I think Tom didn't manage to eat Jerry but he is always giving him a very hard time and not to mention how MEAN is Jerry to Tom sometimes (specially when the kitty kitty is trying to hit on a girl and BUM ! here comes the mouse to make kitty's life imposible )... buy hey ! they are happy chasing each other and me too !!!!!!!
To be honest, I never asked this question to myself, I always concentrate just in lauuugghh and laaauughhh again ! =)