We Are Made of Molecules examines how exclusionary social hierarchies damage relationships and prevent people from connecting across their differences. Social hierarchy and status are important at Borden Secondary School. Everyone implicitly knows who matters and who doesn’t. Pretty fashionistas like Ashley and star athletes like Jared control the top tier. The key requirement is to look good. A good heart is immaterial because image is everything. Ashley explains:

See, I’m pretty much at the top of the Social Ladder in my grade […] People like Stewart don’t even count. They don’t even have a foot on the ladder. They can’t even touch the ladder. They are forbidden to go anywhere near the ladder. (73)

Those with status are eager to keep the less popular out. Superior social status can only be maintained by identifying and excluding so-called inferior students. Ashley is unkind to Stewart in part because she needs to maintain her preeminence. Jared uses a similar tactic to reinforce his superiority by bullying Stewart. Feeling special can only be sustained by excluding and demeaning others.

Wielding the weapon of exclusion proves to be a double-edged sword. Ashley admits: “I can never appear weak or vulnerable, or people like Lauren will go in for the kill” (74).