In George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, Winston Smith commits the crime of thoughtcrime. Thoughtcrime is the act of thinking against the Party, and in a society where all individual thought is suppressed, this act is itself considered a serious offense.
Winston’s rebellion begins with his secret affection for Julia and his desire to seek truth and keep his thoughts free of Party ideology. He seeks to maintain his own beliefs, which leads him to question the oppressive regime of Big Brother. This in itself is a criminal act, as the Party enforces strict control over not just actions, but the thoughts and emotions of its citizens.
Winston’s thoughtcrime escalates when he writes in his diary, an action that is forbidden as it represents an assertion of individuality and personal expression. His longing for rebellion and human connection ultimately sets him on a collision course with the totalitarian forces governing Oceania, leading to dire consequences. In essence, Winston’s greatest crime is his desire for freedom and truth in a world that demands absolute conformity.