Through the character of Esperanza, Cisneros writes about the ghosts that haunted her. She writes using imagery, personification and other literary devices. Through her imaginative language, Cisneros includes subjects which caused her the most pain:
“If I were asked what it is I write about,” says Sandra Cisneros, “I would have to say I write about those ghosts inside that haunt me.” These ghosts—of poverty, sexism, and racism—populate The House on Mango Street,