Summary Using Gluttony
The Street Singer is the second story in Will Eisner’s A Contract With God. It was written in 1978, but placed in the time of the Great Depression. This story portrays the deadly sin of gluttony as Eddie is greedy and selfish throughout. Marta Maria is a once-famous opera singer who lusts for love and affection but looks for it in the wrong guys. She also portrays gluttony as she brings a drunkard in her home to seduce and manipulate him for her own well-being. Nothing is good enough for Eddie and Marta as they allow greed to get in the way of live. Alcohol and money for alcohol are Eddie’s two main concerns. “Where’d you get the money for all that Whiskey… I need the money for the doctor.. You know I’m pregnant,” said Marta (21). This quotation encompasses everything that Eddie stands for. Lack of self respect, lack of respect for other, and greed are all exemplified perfectly in the quote.
Maria continues to give Eddie money, which he spends on alcohol from the local liquor store. As Maria is pregnant with their baby, Eddie does not care about the well-being of either one of them, rather how he can get more alcohol. He eventually starts beating her, similar to her ex husband. 
Eddie’s plan is to get famous because of Maria and eventually return to his wife and kids. “Y’see… My plan is let her promote me.. Then when I’m on top- I’ll go back to my wife and kid…A singing star..Not a crummy accountant, (26).
Karma comes back around to Eddie as he forgets where Marta Maria lives and must go back to life on the streets. Before he realizes that he had not entered Marta’s address into his phonebook, he goes to the liquor store and asks for a drink. Knowing that Eddie’s credit is unstable, the store owner asks him how he plans on getting money. This is the first time Eddie mentions Marta in a positive way. “Joe, you are looking at the new protege of the great diva Marta Maria- the internationally famous soprano!” (25). The sad story ends with Eddie living on the street again because he forgets what alley is he was singing in when he met Marta.
Deadly Sins in “The Street Singer”
Gluttony is shown multiple times in the Bible with mention to drunkards and poverty. If you are a drunk, you will not care about many things other than how you’re getting a fix. Family, relationships, money, and jobs are all obsolete when battling an addiction. Biblical references are important in Will Eisner’s stories because they provide moral lessons and warnings about how to live a healthy and happy life. In A Contract With God, Eisner exemplifies deadly sins through the plot and through the characters. Because Eddie is gluttonous, he falls several times to poverty and domestic abuse. “Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags,” (Proverbs 23: 20-21). 
Lust is another sin shown very often in this story. It is usually a term coined with sexual desire, and in Marta Maria’s case this is true. She does not care that Eddie spends her money on alcohol or that he beats her, as long as there is lust. “I’m sorry about last night, Sophie,” “That’s okay Eddie! Go, honey… don’t sing today- Get a job!,” (24). Lust can also be described as intense desire for anything. In Eddie’s case, lust for alcohol leads to gluttony and poverty. “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry,” (Colossians 3:5). Biblical references can lead to stronger understandings of how bad these sins can be. Also, the horror of gluttony and lust are portrayed in this story as you feel bad for the kid who has to grow up in that environment.
We can not narrow Eisner’s stories to one deadly sin, however gluttony and lust are shown very often throughout “The Street Singer.” If you would like to give examples of other deadly sins shown in The Street Singer, please comment below and share your opinion!
References:
- Eisner, Will. A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories. New York: Baronet Press, 1978. Print.
- Holy Bible, New International Version. “Colossians.” Bible Gateway. 2011. Web. 14 Dec. 2013
- Holy Bible, New International Version. “Proverbs.” Bible Gateway. 2011. Web. 14 Dec. 2013.
- n.p. “Gluttony.” 7 Deadly Sins. Web. 14 Dec. 2013. http://deadlysins.com/sins/gluttony.html
- n.p. “Lust.” 7 Deadly Sins. Web. 14 Dec. 2013. http://deadlysins.com/sins/lust.html
The Corruption at 55 