The following article contains spoilers from Gold Goblin #1, on sale now from DC Comics.
Ever since being cleansed of his sins, Norman Osborn has been working tirelessly to become a better man. Gold Goblin #1 (by Christopher Cantwell, Lan Medina, Antonio Fabela, and VC's Joe Sabino) gives a little insight into how this is affecting Norman. Or more accurately, how his new lease on life is weighing him down.
It's an analysis of what it means to be "cleansed" of one's sins. Far from being given an easy way out of his crimes, it seems that the opposite has occurred. Norman is now feeling incredible guilt over the horrible crimes he committed in the past. Having his sins removed didn't make him a better man, it just means he can no longer be apathetic towards those he hurt.
A "Cleansed" Green Goblin Feels Guilt for the First Time
What the Sin-Eater did to Norman may have seemed like he was being let off easy, but that's the furthest thing from the truth. To be cleansed of one's sins doesn't mean that all past wrongdoings are magically wiped away. Sin-Eater did not alter history or make Norman forget he was ever a terrible person. Instead, he did something far worse -- he removed Norman's ability to protect himself from basic empathy.
Norman only managed to live with himself for all those years because he truly felt no guilt about the terrible things he had done. He was apathetic towards his fellow human beings. That numbness towards others shielded him from the truth of his actions. Once it was taken away, Norman could no longer deny that he had hurt so many people, and really had no true justification to do so beyond pettiness and greed. He is now functioning as a caring person, and that is a horrible punishment for someone who has never felt that way before. His struggle with these new emotions will ultimately be what decides his future within the Marvel Universe.
Norman Osborn's Newfound Empathy Could Make or Break Him
Norman has been struggling with not becoming the Green Goblin ever again. That persona tempts him at every turn, and this issue shows that the evil within him is not truly gone, manifesting in a vision that overcame Norman's perception of reality. To that end, Norman has avoided anything that might open a door for the Green Goblin to come back. His actions as the new Gold Goblin mean that Norman is now trying to atone for his past by putting his abilities to good use.
However, in his private life, he struggles with these new feelings of guilt and empathy. Norman has yet to confide in anyone about the way he is feeling, but it's clear that he cannot go on much longer before he reaches a breaking point. If Norman can't reconcile with his new way of life, that might be what pushes him to finally give in to the Green Goblin again. It would be easier for him to live devoid of compassion for others than to continue torturing himself over his misdeeds. But if he can make peace with it, and himself, then he stands to become a powerful force for good. Only time will tell which Goblin reigns supreme.