First Advisor
Kate Comer
Date of Award
Fall 12-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English and University Honors
Department
English
Language
English
Subjects
BookTok; TikTok; classic literature; canon formation; social media and publishing; platform studies
Abstract
This thesis explores how classic literature circulates within the virtual community known as BookTok. Rather than making any definitive claims, this study offers a preliminary look at how and why certain classics surface within a digital space. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes three Zeeschuimer data pulls paired with qualitative analysis of thirty-four unique top-performing videos. This thesis examines the recurring patterns regarding top performing content of classics. Early findings suggest that these posts tend to gain traction on BookTok due to recognition and relatability. The top texts retain their prominence not necessarily because of their canonical status, but because they evoke recognizable emotions, offer quotable moments, or can be reframed within familiar aesthetic narratives. Although these patterns provide insight into how literary value may be shifting within platform cultures, the conclusions of this study remain tentative. As such, this thesis aims not to offer a final judgment but to contribute to an ongoing conversation about how reading, identity, and digital circulation intersect.
Recommended Citation
Cowles, Olivia C., "Recognition Through the Algorithm: How Emotional Identification Shapes the Circulation of Classics on BookTok" (2025). University Honors Theses. Paper 1718.