The Bucket List: Reclaiming Joy and Agency in Till Summer Do Us Part
What Is the Bucket List?
In Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn, the bucket list is a handwritten catalogue of experiences that Scottie Price’s ex‑husband, Matt, denied her during their marriage. Created spontaneously by Wilder during a Camp Haven picnic, the list begins as a playful exercise—a way to name the small, joyful activities Matt dismissed as wasteful or embarrassing. Over the course of the novel, the list evolves from a simple wish‑list into a practical symbol of Scottie’s self‑reinvention, her ability to trust again, and the mutual vulnerability that deepens her fake‑to‑real relationship with Wilder.
Where the Bucket List Appears in the Story
The bucket list is first introduced in Chapter 24 (Chapter 25 in the text), when Wilder pulls a pad of paper from a picnic bag and writes Scottie’s Ball and Chain–Free Bucket List. Together they brainstorm items, laughing over Matt’s failures: cooking class, movie‑theater candy, kiss‑cam redemption, skinny‑dipping, and watching porn. Wilder later checks off each item one by one, culminating in the final entry—paddleboating—which features in Chapter 31. The list’s completion occurs in Chapter 32, where Wilder confesses his love on a Central Park paddleboat. In the Epilogue, the couple decides to create a new, shared bucket list, symbolizing their commitment to a future full of shared adventure.
How the Meaning of the List Changes
Initially, the bucket list represents unfulfilled desires—a record of everything Matt refused to do. Each item carries the weight of past rejection: Matt swatted away Scottie’s hand when she tried a new intimate move, drank his beer instead of kissing her on the kiss cam, and called skinny‑dipping “stupid.” The list thus begins as a testament to emotional neglect.
As Wilder helps Scottie check off items, the list transforms into a vehicle for healing. He doesn’t merely complete tasks; he creates safe, joyful contexts. For example, he arranges a private kiss‑cam moment at a baseball game, ensuring Scottie feels seen and cherished. The act of crossing off each experience rebuilds her confidence and re‑teaches her that she deserves attention and fun.
By the time the list is finished, its meaning shifts again to mutual commitment. When Wilder says “we’re closing out the bucket list, so it had to be here” on the paddleboat, he links the list’s end with the beginning of their honest love. The list becomes a shared story: her past wounds, his willingness to heal them, and their decision to move forward together. The Epilogue’s new “shared bucket list” demonstrates that the symbol has grown from individual reclamation to partnership.
Character Connections
- Scottie Price: The list is Scottie’s literal and emotional inventory of lost opportunities. Her eagerness to compile it shows she already knows what she missed; completing it allows her to reclaim her own narrative. For a deeper look at her journey, see the character page for Scottie Price.
- Wilder: Wilder acts as the list’s executor. His patient, thoughtful fulfilment of each item (e.g., the cooking class, the movie, the paddleboat) demonstrates his commitment to understanding Scottie’s needs. He uses the list as a tool to prove he is different from Matt. Learn more about his role in the character page for Wilder.
- Matt (ex‑husband): The absent antagonist; the list’s existence depends on Matt’s refusals. Although never on‑page, his shadow defines the list’s original meaning.
- Mika and Denise: The friends who support Scottie’s reinvention. They witness the bucket list’s creation and cheer its completion. See their profiles on the Mika and Denise pages.
- Sanders Martin: The fake marriage counselor who inadvertently facilitates the space for the list’s creation at Camp Haven. His camp activities provide the backdrop for the list’s checks. Visit the Sanders Martin character page.
Theme Connections
The bucket list directly reinforces several key themes:
- Self‑Love and Reinvention: The list forces Scottie to prioritize her own happiness. Each item is an act of self‑care, not romance. See the self‑love and reinvention theme page.
- Deception and Authenticity: The list emerges from a fake marriage, yet it becomes the most honest part of their relationship. Wilder’s decision to complete it truthfully contrasts with the lies they tell Sanders. Explore the deception and authenticity theme.
- Healing from Past Trauma: Scottie uses the list to confront past wounds—Matt’s rejection, his lack of affection, his shaming of her desires. The theme of healing from past trauma is central to her arc.
- Communication and Vulnerability: Wilder asks Scottie directly what she wanted, and she openly shares her wishes. The list is a tool for honest communication. Read more about communication and vulnerability.
- Commitment and Trust: Finishing the list and then creating a new one together signals the shift from pretending to genuine partnership. This mirrors the theme of commitment and trust.
Study Questions with Answers
1. Why does Wilder insist on completing the bucket list even after Scottie has lost interest in some items?
Answer: Wilder sees the list as a promise he made to help Scottie reclaim joy. He believes that following through on the final item—paddleboating—will prove his reliability and love. His insistence shows he values actions over words, a direct contrast to Matt, who never kept such promises.
2. How does the bucket list function as a foil to the fake marriage plot?
Answer: The fake marriage is built on deception (lying to Sanders, pretending to have issues), while the bucket list is completely authentic. Wilder and Scottie are honest about what they want from the list, even when they are dishonest about everything else. This contrast highlights how their true connection grows through truth, not performance.
3. In what way does the bucket list’s structure mirror Scottie’s emotional growth?
Answer: The list begins with external activities (cooking class, movie, kiss cam) and progresses to intimate, vulnerable experiences (skinny‑dipping, watching porn, paddleboating). This mirrors Scottie’s journey from surface‑level healing to deep emotional and physical intimacy. By the end, she is ready to create a list with another person, signaling healthy interdependence.
4. How does the creation of a “shared bucket list” in the epilogue redefine the symbol’s meaning?
Answer: The original list was Scottie’s alone, a way to reclaim her independence after Matt. The new list is co‑created with Wilder, symbolizing that she no longer needs to heal alone. It represents a partnership of equals, where both individuals’ desires matter equally. The symbol thus evolves from self‑reclamation to mutual commitment.