"During this earlier period of his activity Voltaire seems to have been trying - half unconsciously, perhaps - to discover and to express the fundamental quality of his genius"

This quote by Lytton Strachey is referring to the early duration of Voltaire's career, when he was still searching for his location on the planet. Strachey suggests that Voltaire was looking for his real genius, though he may not have understood it. He was most likely exploring various concepts and composing designs, searching for the one that finest matched him. Strachey indicates that Voltaire had the ability to eventually find and reveal the essential quality of his genius, which was his capability to compose with wit and intelligence. His works were frequently satirical and important of the society he resided in, and he had the ability to utilize his composing to challenge the status quo. Voltaire's genius was his ability to use his composing to make a statement and to inspire modification.