"My ideas had been taking a socialistic shape for many years; but they were lacking in definite outline"

This quote by Edward Carpenter recommends that his concepts had actually been leaning towards socialism for a long period of time, however he had actually not yet had the ability to put them into a concrete type. This might suggest that he had actually been thinking of socialism for a while, however had actually not yet had the ability to articulate his ideas in such a way that was clear and succinct. It might also suggest that he had been considering the ramifications of socialism, however had actually not yet been able to establish a strategy. This quote indicates that Carpenter remained in the process of developing his ideas, but had not yet had the ability to totally specify them. It is most likely that Carpenter remained in the process of exploring the possibilities of socialism and was still in the procedure of forming his concepts. This quote recommends that Carpenter remained in the procedure of developing his ideas, but had not yet been able to totally define them.