12 Analytical Essay Prompts for “Mistakes Were Made”

These prompts are designed for close reading and critical analysis of Lucy Score’s novel. Each prompt includes a rationale, a defensible thesis direction, and 3–5 evidence leads from the text. Before writing, review the relevant themes and character arcs for deeper context.

1. How Zoey’s ADHD Diagnosis Reshapes Her Self-Image

Why this matters: Zoey’s late diagnosis transforms how she interprets her past failures and opens a path to self-acceptance. The author’s own experience makes this theme central to the novel’s emotional arc.

Sample thesis direction: Zoey’s diagnosis reframes her impulsivity and shame as symptoms rather than character flaws, allowing her to stop seeing herself as “stupid” and begin celebrating her strengths.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 17: Opal observes Zoey’s ADHD symptoms and gives her an assessment; Zoey fears treatment won’t work.
Chapter 23: Zoey takes medication for the first time and feels “normal”; she remembers tasks easily and experiences a sense of control.
Chapter 37: Zoey reveals her diagnosis to her parents, who dismiss it; Gage defends her.
Author’s Note: Score shares her own late diagnosis and the resources that helped her.

2. The Dimes as a Symbol of Secret Grief and Unspoken Love

Why this matters: The dimes connect Laura’s loss, Gage’s hidden kindness, and Zoey’s eventual realization of love. They function as a tangible symbol of generosity and hope.

Sample thesis direction: Gage’s habit of leaving dimes for Laura reveals his deep but unexpressed compassion, and the moment Zoey finds a dime becomes a turning point in her understanding of his character.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 35: Laura explains that Miller called her a “perfect ten” and left dimes; Zoey discovers Gage has been doing the same.
Chapter 8: Gage secretly places a dime under a hook at Laura’s house, prefiguring the later revelation.
Chapter 24: Laura supports Valerie in court, showing her own capacity for forgiveness—which the dimes embody.
Chapter 47: Zoey finds a roll of dimes in her car speaker grille; Gage has a tin of dimes in his closet.

3. Control vs. Spontaneity: The Central Conflict Between Gage and Zoey

Why this matters: Their entire romance is built on the tension between Gage’s need for order and Zoey’s impulsive chaos. This conflict drives the plot and climaxes at the bonfire.

Sample thesis direction: Gage’s compulsive planning clashes repeatedly with Zoey’s spontaneity, and their reconciliation only becomes possible when each learns to borrow from the other’s style.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 2: Gage yells at Zoey for running into the road, revealing his fear of uncontrolled events.
Chapter 37: Gage breaks a desk during sex with Zoey, a physical break from his usual control.
Chapter 36: Zoey calls Gage a “neat category” man and urges him to focus on the present.
Chapter 42: Gage breaks up with Zoey after she impulsively risks her life; later he learns to embrace spontaneity (epilogue: meteor shower date causes a fire but he accepts it).

4. The Bishop Family’s Fractured Loyalty Over the Valerie Case

Why this matters: Gage’s decision to defend the driver who killed Miller tests family loyalty and forces each brother to confront forgiveness. It is the most intense family conflict in the novel.

Sample thesis direction: By taking Valerie’s case, Gage forces his siblings to move beyond vengeance and acknowledge that justice and forgiveness can coexist, though the process nearly destroys their unity.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 4: The brothers tease Gage about the accident but reveal their own unresolved anger.
Chapter 18: Laura demands that Gage represent Valerie; Gage initially refuses.
Chapter 24: Gage’s parents discover the situation and are furious; the family group text demands answers.
Chapter 25: Pep forces the siblings into corners to talk it out, leading to Laura’s defense of Valerie.
Chapter 45: Gage forgives Valerie at dawn, completing his personal journey.

5. Story Lake as a Healing Community

Why this matters: The town functions as a character itself, providing support, accountability, and a sense of belonging that none of the protagonists found elsewhere.

Sample thesis direction: Through collective rituals (bingo, town meetings, adoptions) and spontaneous aid, Story Lake becomes an active agent in Zoey’s emotional recovery, replacing her broken family ties.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 6: The town approves Zoey’s education initiative and “potatoes” Emilie Rump for an unfair ordinance.
Chapter 20: The “Kick Dominion’s Ass” committee donates cash to Zoey; locals volunteer for Reader Weekend.
Chapter 31: The town unites against Nina Vampic’s rival festival; Felicity offers free help.
Chapter 41: Opal adopts cats and Zoey decides to confess love after the adoption fair.
Chapter 47: The town renames a bingo square after Zoey and Gage declares his love publicly.

6. Vulnerability: The Barrier to Commitment for Both Protagonists

Why this matters: Both Zoey and Gage hide behind excuses (casual sex, “not my type”) because they fear being seen fully. The novel argues that true intimacy requires showing one’s broken parts.

Sample thesis direction: Zoey and Gage each use rhetorical distance to avoid admitting their feelings, and only after they confess their deepest fears (infertility, fear of inadequacy) can they move toward a real relationship.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 15: Gage asks “You sure you’re not the one?” and Zoey deflects.
Chapter 20: Gage confesses he feels better with her; Zoey reveals her ADHD fears.
Chapter 28: Zoey discloses her infertility; Gage responds with empathy.
Chapter 39: Gage confesses love and Zoey admits she fears being “too much”; he counters with her strengths.
Chapter 45: Gage’s apology emails list his specific fears, showing full vulnerability.

7. The Symbolic Role of the Disco Ball, Dimes, and Sparkly Bra

Why this matters: These objects are not mere props; they recur at pivotal moments and carry emotional weight for the characters’ growth and connection.

Sample thesis direction: The disco ball, dimes, and sparkly bra function as talismans of authenticity, hope, and connection, marking key stages in Zoey and Gage’s journey from surface attraction to deep love.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 8: Zoey’s disco ball necklace leads to the “disco” safe word and the first honest conversation.
Chapter 34: The dimes are explained as symbols of “perfect ten” love; Zoey realizes Gage has been leaving them for Laura.
Chapter 40: Goose returns Zoey’s sparkly bra; Cam sees it as a sign.
Chapter 48: Gage installs a disco ball in his living room and shows Zoey a closet full of her things, including the bra.

8. Foreshadowing in the Title and First Chapter

Why this matters: The novel’s opening chapter is titled “Map,” and the book’s title becomes a refrain. These early signals prepare readers for themes of direction, missteps, and learning from error.

Sample thesis direction: The title “Mistakes Were Made” and the chapter heading “Map” establish a framework of orientation and disorientation, foreshadowing that the characters must navigate failure to find their true paths.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 1: The title “Map” (no text available) suggests journey, orientation, or lostness—a prelude to Zoey’s financial crisis and search for belonging.
The novel’s title is echoed by Opal in chapter 47: “Mistakes were made… you don’t have to be defined by them.”
Zoey’s early impulsivity (chapter 2: snake, chapter 11: vodka splatter) signals the ongoing pattern of error that she must learn to manage.
The epilogue shows Zoey with a paper calendar and headphones—new tools for navigating life.

9. Zoey’s Arc from Impulsive to Intentional

Why this matters: Zoey’s growth is measured by her ability to pause before reacting. The novel tracks her progress through several impulsive disasters and eventual self-regulation.

Sample thesis direction: Each of Zoey’s impulsive acts (throwing a drink, running into traffic, breaking a desk) serves as a setback, but the diagnosis and community support gradually teach her to channel that energy productively.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 11: Zoey throws a drink at Jim, humiliating herself; Navya advises her to “take that pause between stimulus and response.”
Chapter 17: Opal advises Zoey to “stop trying to improve weaknesses and instead focus on strengths.”
Chapter 23: On medication, Zoey feels “normal” and succeeds in planning the Thrive interview.
Chapter 42: Zoey impulsively charges at Gerald and gets stabbed—her failure to pause almost costs her relationship.
Epilogue: Zoey uses a paper calendar and headphones; her ADHD management is stable.

10. Gage’s Transformation from Life Planner to Spontaneous Partner

Why this matters: Gage begins the novel mapping out his future in strict categories. His love for Zoey forces him to embrace uncertainty and imperfection.

Sample thesis direction: Gage’s character arc reverses the typical romance pattern: he must un-learn control and learn to trust spontaneity, ultimately finding happiness in a life he never planned.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 2: Gage lists Zoey’s flaws to deny attraction; he insists she is “not my type.”
Chapter 7: Gage says Zoey is “definitely not my type,” but admits he hopes she succeeds.
Chapter 21: After one-night stand, Gage feels his entire being has been altered.
Chapter 27: Gage says he is reconsidering his “traditional life plan” with marriage/children.
Epilogue: Gage agrees to an outdoor meteor shower date that ends in a small fire—he laughs about it.

11. Contrasting Families: The Bishop Clan vs. the Moody Parents

Why this matters: The novel juxtaposes the warm, loud Bishop family with Zoey’s neglectful, critical parents. This contrast drives her sense of belonging and her ultimate choice to stay.

Sample thesis direction: Zoey’s traumatic birthday lunch with her parents highlights the Bishop family’s role as a corrective, chosen family; the cake cruise immediately afterward reinforces that she has found a home where she is valued.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 37: Zoey’s parents mock her childhood, dismiss her ADHD, and compare her to her sister; Gage confronts them and pays the bill.
Chapter 38: Gage surprises Zoey with a cake cruise attended by the entire Bishop family; she is overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness.
Chapter 39: After a broken desk, Gage’s mother catches them but is accepting—unlike Zoey’s mother.
Epilogue: Zoey’s parents have made “tentative contact,” but she is firmly embedded in the Bishop family.

12. Reconciliation and the Theme “Mistakes Were Made”

Why this matters: The book’s final movement shows characters owning their errors and being given second chances. This prompt asks students to analyze how forgiveness is earned and extended.

Sample thesis direction: The novel argues that mistakes are not life-defining; what matters is the willingness to learn, apologize, and change. Each major character (Gage, Zoey, Valerie, Laura) models this process.

Evidence leads:

Chapter 45: Gage sends apology emails detailing his fears; he later forgives Valerie at dawn.
Chapter 47: Opal tells Zoey, “Mistakes were made… you don’t have to be defined by them.”
Chapter 48: Zoey forgives Gage after he installs a disco ball and shows her the closet; they both find dimes.
Chapter 47 (retrieved evidence): Opal repeats the title phrase; Zoey still hesitates but ultimately agrees to dinner.
Epilogue: Zoey and Gage are engaged, planning a fall wedding; Zoey’s wrist brace is gone, symbolizing healed wounds.

For additional support, explore the questions and answers page or dive into specific themes like grief and forgiveness.