I began to think vodka was my drink at last. It didn't taste like anything, but it went straight down into my stomach like a sword swallowers' sword and made me feel powerful and godlike.
In Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar," the protagonist reflects on her experience with vodka, which she perceives as her ideal drink. The liquid's lack of distinct taste allows it to slide effortlessly down her throat, creating a sensation akin to a sword being swallowed, and this physical experience symbolizes an escape from her overwhelming emotions. Through this metaphor, she conveys a moment of empowerment fueled by alcohol.
This passage illustrates how the protagonist associates vodka with a sense of control and invincibility. The contrast between the drink's neutrality and the potent effect it has on her psyche highlights her deep struggle with identity and mental health. The bold imagery of feeling "powerful and godlike" suggests a temporary reprieve from her challenges, revealing the complex relationship between substance use and the search for self-affirmation.