"The nineteenth century was completely lacking in logic, it had cosmic terms and hopes, and aspirations, and discoveries, and ideals but it had no logic"

Gertrude Stein's quote suggests that the nineteenth century was a duration of fantastic development and ambition, but that it lacked a sensible method to attaining its objectives. This might be translated as a criticism of the duration, as it indicates that the century was identified by a lack of foresight and planning. It could likewise be seen as a comment on the nature of development, as Stein suggests that development is frequently made through leaps of faith and leaps of imagination, instead of through rational actions. Eventually, Stein's quote suggests that the nineteenth century was a period of great possible, but that it did not have the logical framework necessary to understand that potential.