An Inspector Calls Flashcards: 7 Powerful Ways To Revise Themes, Quotes & Characters Faster – Turn revision stress into easy, bite-sized flashcard sessions that actually stick.
An Inspector Calls flashcards done properly using spaced repetition, active recall and Flashrecall decks for quotes, themes, characters and exam questions.
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. It's free
Stop Re-Reading An Inspector Calls And Start Remembering It
If you’re revising An Inspector Calls and feel like nothing stays in your brain, you’re not alone.
Endless rereads, messy notes, random quote lists… and then the exam question hits and your mind goes blank.
This is exactly where flashcards shine – especially if you use an app that does the hard work for you.
That’s why I’m going to show you how to use flashcards properly for An Inspector Calls and how to make it 10x easier with Flashrecall:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Flashrecall turns your notes, images, PDFs, even YouTube videos into flashcards in seconds, then uses spaced repetition and active recall to make sure you actually remember everything for the exam.
Let’s break down how to build insanely effective An Inspector Calls flashcards.
Why Flashcards Work So Well For An Inspector Calls
You’re not just memorising random facts – you need to:
- Remember key quotes (word-perfect or close enough)
- Understand themes (social responsibility, class, gender, age, guilt, etc.)
- Know characters and how they change
- Be able to link quotes to themes and characters
- Write about context (Priestley, 1912 vs 1945, capitalism vs socialism)
Flashcards are perfect because they force you to pull information out of your head instead of just reading it.
That’s called active recall, and Flashrecall has it built in.
Plus, spaced repetition in Flashrecall means the app automatically schedules reviews so you see each card just before you’re about to forget it. No revision timetable spreadsheets. No guessing.
Step 1: Set Up Your An Inspector Calls Decks The Smart Way
Don’t throw everything into one giant chaotic deck.
Create separate decks in Flashrecall like:
- An Inspector Calls – Characters
- An Inspector Calls – Themes
- An Inspector Calls – Key Quotes
- An Inspector Calls – Context & Priestley’s Message
- An Inspector Calls – Exam Practice Questions
This way, you can focus on exactly what you’re weak on.
In Flashrecall you can:
- Make cards manually if you like to type things out
- Or create them instantly from images, text, PDFs or YouTube summaries
For example, if you’ve got a PDF revision guide, you can import it into Flashrecall and let it generate flashcards for you. That alone saves you hours of typing.
Download it here if you haven’t already:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Works on iPhone and iPad, and it’s free to start.
Step 2: Build Killer Character Flashcards (Not Just “Who Is Sheila?”)
Most people make boring cards like:
> Q: Who is Sheila Birling?
> A: Arthur and Sybil Birling’s daughter, engaged to Gerald.
That’s… fine. But you need more depth for top grades.
Try these instead:
> Front: How does Sheila change from the start to the end of the play?
> Back:
> - Start: naïve, materialistic, pleased with herself, childish (“very pleased with life and rather excited”)
> - End: mature, remorseful, socially aware, rejects parents’ views
> - Accepts responsibility for Eva, sides with Inspector, symbolic of younger generation’s hope.
> Front: One quote that shows Sheila taking responsibility
> Back: “I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry.”
> – Shows guilt, emotional response, moral growth, contrast with her parents.
> Front: How does Priestley use Sheila to explore the theme of social responsibility?
> Back:
> - She accepts blame and wants to change
> - Represents the younger generation learning from mistakes
> - Criticises older generation’s refusal to change
> - Suggests hope for a more socially responsible future.
In Flashrecall, you can chat with your flashcard if you’re unsure. So if you have a card about Sheila and you’re like, “Can you explain this in simpler words?” – you can literally ask the app and get a clearer explanation.
Step 3: Make Quote Flashcards You’ll Actually Remember
You do NOT need to memorise every line of the play.
You need a tight set of high‑value quotes that can be used for multiple themes and characters.
How to structure your quote cards
> Front: Finish the quote: “We are members of one body. We are…”
> Back: “…responsible for each other.” – Inspector Goole, Act 3.
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
> Theme: social responsibility, Priestley’s message, socialism vs capitalism.
> Front: What theme does “Girls of that class” link to, and what does it show about Sybil?
> Back:
> - Theme: class, prejudice, social hierarchy
> - Shows Sybil’s snobbery, lack of empathy, belief she is morally and socially superior
> - Priestley criticises upper-class attitudes.
> Front: What language technique is used in “millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”?
> Back:
> - Repetition and hyperbole
> - Emphasises scale of social injustice
> - Suggests Eva is symbolic of the working class.
You can even snap a photo of your quote list from your exercise book and let Flashrecall turn it into flashcards automatically. No copy-paste, no typing.
Step 4: Turn Themes Into Short, Punchy Cards
Themes are where people waffle in the exam. Flashcards force you to compress the idea.
Good theme cards look like this:
> Front: 3 key points about the theme of social responsibility in An Inspector Calls
> Back:
> 1. Inspector’s message: “We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”
> 2. Younger generation (Sheila, Eric) accept responsibility and change.
> 3. Older generation (Mr & Mrs Birling) refuse to accept blame, symbolising selfish capitalist attitudes.
> Front: How does Priestley present the younger generation in the play?
> Back:
> - More open-minded and willing to change
> - Accept responsibility (Sheila/Eric feel guilt)
> - Represent hope for a more equal, socially responsible future
> - Contrast with stubborn older generation.
In Flashrecall, spaced repetition will keep bringing these back at the right time so they move into your long‑term memory. You don’t have to remember when to revise them – the app reminds you.
Step 5: Don’t Forget Context – Easy Flashcards For Priestley & 1912
Context is where you can pick up easy marks if you actually remember it.
Make cards like:
> Front: Why is the play set in 1912 but written in 1945?
> Back:
> - 1912: before WW1, Titanic, rigid class system, strong capitalism
> - 1945: after WW2, Labour landslide, rise of welfare state, socialist ideas growing
> - Priestley uses hindsight to criticise arrogance of characters like Mr Birling and promote social change.
> Front: How does Priestley use Mr Birling to criticise capitalism?
> Back:
> - Birling’s confident predictions are wrong (“unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”)
> - Obsessed with profits and status
> - Lacks social responsibility
> - Priestley makes him look foolish to undermine capitalist attitudes.
You can throw all your context notes into a doc, import into Flashrecall, and let it auto‑generate flashcards. Then just tweak them.
Step 6: Use Exam-Style Question Cards To Practice Under Pressure
Don’t just memorise – practice using your knowledge in exam-style answers.
Make flashcards like:
> Front: Exam Q: How does Priestley present the Inspector as a moral force in the play? (Plan 3 main points)
> Back:
> 1. Voice of social responsibility – key quotes (“We are members of one body…”)
> 2. Controls structure – arrives, interrogates, leaves; final speech as warning
> 3. Mysterious/supernatural – “fire and blood and anguish”, omniscient, symbolic.
> Front: Exam Q: Explore how women are treated in An Inspector Calls.
> Back:
> - Eva as victim of class + gender
> - Sheila’s development from naïve to empowered
> - Mrs Birling’s internalised class prejudice
> - Men’s treatment: Gerald’s affair, Eric’s behaviour, dismissal from factory.
With Flashrecall’s active recall mode, you see the question, think through your answer, then reveal your planned points. You can rate how well you remembered, and the app spaces the card accordingly.
Step 7: Make Revision Actually Happen (Not Just “I’ll Start Tomorrow”)
The biggest problem isn’t making flashcards – it’s actually using them consistently.
Flashrecall helps with that because:
- It has built-in spaced repetition – you open the app and it already knows what you should study today.
- You get study reminders, so you don’t “forget to revise” for three weeks.
- It works offline, so you can revise on the bus, in a boring waiting room, anywhere.
- It’s fast and modern – no clunky old-school interface that makes you hate revising.
Just 10–15 minutes a day going through your An Inspector Calls decks is enough to make a massive difference by exam time.
Example Mini-Deck For An Inspector Calls (You Can Copy This)
Here’s a simple starting set you can recreate in Flashrecall:
Characters Deck
- How does Sheila change throughout the play?
- How is Eric presented as both guilty and sympathetic?
- How does Priestley present Mr Birling as foolish?
Quotes Deck
- Finish: “Unsinkable, absolutely…”
- Who says “We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.” and why is it important?
- What does “girls of that class” reveal about Mrs Birling?
Themes Deck
- 3 key points about social responsibility
- How does the play criticise class inequality?
- How are the older and younger generations contrasted?
Context Deck
- Why is the 1912 setting important for Priestley’s message?
- How might a 1945 audience react to Mr Birling’s views?
Turn those into cards in Flashrecall, then let the app handle the scheduling.
Why Use Flashrecall Instead Of Just Paper Flashcards?
Paper cards are fine… until:
- You lose half the stack
- You forget which ones you’ve revised
- You get bored and stop using them
Flashrecall fixes all of that:
- Instant card creation from images, text, PDFs, YouTube links, or typed prompts
- Active recall + spaced repetition built in – scientifically proven methods without you doing any maths or planning
- Chat with your flashcards if you’re confused about a concept
- Works offline on iPhone and iPad
- Great not just for An Inspector Calls, but all your subjects – English, languages, sciences, medicine, business, whatever you’re studying.
Try it while you’re thinking about it:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Build your An Inspector Calls decks once, and future-you in the exam will be very, very grateful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
Is there a free flashcard app?
Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.
How do I start spaced repetition?
You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.
What is active recall and how does it work?
Active recall is the process of actively retrieving information from memory rather than passively reviewing it. Flashrecall forces proper active recall by making you think before revealing answers, then uses spaced repetition to optimize your review schedule.
How can I study more effectively for this test?
Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.
Related Articles
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- An Inspector Calls Flashcards: 7 Powerful Ways To Learn Quotes, Themes And Context Faster – Stop Rote Memorising And Start Actually Understanding The Play
- AP Art History Flashcards: 7 Powerful Ways To Actually Remember Every Artwork Before The Exam – Stop rereading your notes and start using smarter flashcards that make paintings, dates, and themes actually stick.
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective
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