1980: In the department store
The artist has successfully portrayed the two sales ladies looking annoyed at the unglamorous shopper who has dared to interrupt their chat about important matters such as their respective sex lives. Of course, the shopper wants to be served but has hoped that her sarcasm will shame them into complying. The chances are that she has not succeeded.
Was it ever thus? Not much has changed today either with staff talking between themselves and ignoring the customer.
1981: Palmistry at work
Yet another cartoon about the occult. It can hardly be seen as endorsing this practice.
1980: How one is ‘dressed’ in the afterlife
Obviously, this cartoon is mocking a literal belief in the afterlife. The other denizens of heaven seen here could hardly all have been dressed with wings and halos at their moment of their death.
1980: Students at ‘work’
It would be hard to believe that this could not have happened in real life. Students don’t dress like that anymore.
1980: An accurate assessment
This small boy can see the relationship between cause and effect. I doubt that a real chemistry set would contain a liquid as toxic as the one shown here.
1980: Birth of Venice?
I’m guessing that this carton is deeply ironic – no authority would have agreed to such an outlandish concept. The founders of the Serene Republic would have had to authorise themselves.
1980: Priority
She has accepted that he is going to be killed. She now is concerned how to drive away from this place. She demands that he should drop the keys although he cannot benefit from this act. Another example of Gallows Humour.
Brilliant!
1981: His Christmas wish
The squabbling children have driven their father to want to seek his own death. So, the only present that he wants is the pistol with which he will kill himself. We assume that it is his wife who has complacently fulfilled his wish. More Gallows Humour.
1981: A biblical version of arms limitation
The cartoon expects the readers of Punch to know the Biblical story of the Israelites conquest of the city of Jericho. Here is the Wikipedia account:
[INDENT]The Book of Joshua is the story of how Israel conquered Canaan. Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, sent two spies to Jericho, the first city of Canaan that they decided to conquer, and discovered that the land was in fear of them and their God. The Israelites marched around the walls once every day for six days with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day they marched seven times around the walls, then the priests blew their ram’s horns, the Israelites raised a great shout, and the walls of the city fell.
[/INDENT]
In 1981 we were very much aware of the Cold War and the threat of nuclear annihilation. Serious attention was being given to the idea of mutually agreed arms reduction.
Well, I, for one, knew of it!
That’s the benefit of a religious education!
(With emphasis on the word ‘education’!) 
Yes, I knew of the story too, though I didn’t believe a word of it!
1981: Theatre of the absurd
The solitary castaway is apparently nonchalantly behaving as though he is seeking a date which cannot be achieved.
1981: Inhabitants in trendsville
These trendy people are a frequent object of satire.
1981: Dealing with the outsider
All those Trodgens are harking back to their school days. I do wonder how Molesworth achieved partner status in spite of not being a member of the family. It might well be that he is a much more successful solicitor. That just makes the bullying more likely.
1981: Equality Aztec Style
Bringing the Aztec empire up to date with the women’s movement? Some of the feminists at the time would have wanted the official to be a woman and the victim to be a man.
