The Enemy of the people is Emmanuel Goldstein, who directs the activities of the Brotherhood, an organisation against the Party. Every day there is a Two Minutes Hate, during which the face of Emmanuel Goldstein is shown on screens. Winston Smith, who works in the Ministry of Truth, hates the present regime. He dares to buy a diary, although writing is forbidden, and he writes down his free thoughts. He also knows that the propaganda consists of lies. At his Ministry he notices an intelligent-looking party member at his Ministry called OBrien, and he thinks that he is on his side, but Winston does not dare to speak to him. A girl called Julia, who works at his Ministry, slips a paper one day into his hand with the words "I love you" on it. This starts a secret love affair between the two. They meet secretly as often as they can.
One day the expected sign from OBrien comes. He invites Julia and Winston in his house and tells them that he is a secret member of the Brotherhood. Some days later Winston is given a forbidden book written by Emmanuel Goldstein, which describes the true state of the world and the terrible methods of the Party and it expresses what Winston already knows and feels.
Suddenly, one day, Winston and Julia are arrested by the Thought Police. Winston's worst fears are realized. He is imprisoned in the Ministry of Love. OBrien turns out to be the head of the Ministry and responsible for the torture. Winston is put in a cell alone. He is beaten continually. Between the beatings men in white coats feel his pulse and give him injections. He confesses to everything he is accused of, including assassination and sabotage. At last he is taken to a room where OBrien directs the worst tortures of all. Every time he speaks the truth, painful electric shocks are run through his body, so that at least he swears 2+2=5 and really believes it. OBrien is still not satisfied, because Winston has not stopped loving Julia.