Final answer:
Without more information, it is impossible to determine whether the authorities believe Winston is insane.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the question, the authorities believe that Winston is insane. However, without any context or reference to a specific text or situation, it is impossible to determine whether this statement is true or false.
In literature, characters are often portrayed as insane or pretending to be insane. For example, in Shakespeare's play Hamlet, there is debate about whether the main character is truly mad or just pretending to be mad to deceive others. The interpretation of a character's sanity can vary depending on the reader's perspective and the evidence provided in the text.
Therefore, without more information about the context or source of this statement, it is not possible to definitively answer whether the authorities believe Winston is insane.